Despite making just six selections during the 2026 NFL Draft, there's no team that was able to do more with less than the Atlanta Falcons. Because of Terry Fontenot's messes, Ian Cunningham entered this draft blindfolded and with a hand tied behind his back--yet still made the most of it.
Despite giving up their 2026 first-round pick in the trade-up to get James Pearce Jr., the Falcons fared well for a team with no Day 1 selection. Their Day 2 haul of Avieon Terrell at 48 and Zachariah Branch at 79 where both men fell right into their laps was masterful, and they took some intriguing upside gambles with their Day 3 picks.
But the honeymoon phase is over. Now that the first week of training camp is officially in the books, now's as good of a time as many to evaluate how our youngsters have handled NFL life. And while they've been sharp, going from shorts to putting on the pads was their first major test of the summer.
Here is where the Falcons' rookies (with the exception of Anterio Thompson, who was placed on the active/NFI list and has yet to participate in offseason activities) have fared across the opening week of summer action:
Atlanta Falcons rookie updates across the first week of training camp
Avieon Terrell, CB
When Atlanta drafted A.J. Terrell's younger brother with their first pick of the new regime, expectations were higher-than-usual for a Day 2 pick. With the Terrell last name, the family reunion has done more harm than good for the second-round rookie, but he's finally starting to turn a corner.
It's been an up-and-down affair for Terrell though. He had a rough day on Saturday, but ever since has been great. He excelled in coverage with some good 1-on-1 moments on Monday, which marked his best practice of the summer. But Wednesday marked the real turning point for the young stud.
On Wednesday, he picked off Tua Tagovailoa in 11-on-11s for his first INT of the summer. Avieon Terrell got off to a slow start, but has improved in recent days. He's starting to get more first-team reps and is starting to carve out a real role for himself in this secondary.
Verdict: Trending up
Zachariah Branch, WR
Zachariah Branch might be the single most impressive player throughout training camp. It feels like every day he's generated a new highlight play, and is drastically out-playing his third-round label. It's only a matter of time before he supplants Olamide Zaccheus and becomes a full-time starter at WR.
After he was used as more of a gadget guy at Georgia, the Dirty Birds have made it clear they have bigger plans in store for him. Many of Branch's best plays have come on deep shots, and he's been practically unguardable in 1-on-1. It's clear he's exactly what this team needs behind Drake London.
The Falcons haven't had a receiver with this much explosiveness in years, and his 4.35 speed has offered electricity in both shorts and pads to the point that every practice has been good to him.
Verdict: Trending to the moon
Kendal Daniels, LB
Kendal Daniels missed all of OTAs due to a calf injury that has plagued him since college, but has returned to the field as a full go during training camp. He's mostly been working with the second-team defense, but the safety-turned-linebacker has been a key part of the inside linebacker battle.
The 6-foot-5, 242-pound athletic freak has been competing with Christian Harris and Harold Perkins Jr. (who we will discuss next) for the second starting linebacker spot. But considering his calf tendonitis will never go away, there will always be a lingering injury risk for a very talented player.
Kendal Daniels has had a solid summer, but there have been some blemishes.
Verdict: Stock neutral
Harold Perkins Jr., LB
If you had to look up "NFL Draft steal" in the dictionary, it would come with a picture of Harold Perkins Jr. The fact that the Falcons got a man who was once regarded as a first-round talent outside the top 200 picks is a major heist, and he's already started to offer some major return on investment in camp.
Perkins Jr. has started to get consistent reps with the first-team defense next to Divine Deablo, and this coaching staff is gradually investing more and more trust in him. Perk has been having a stronger summer than the linebacker Atlanta drafted before him in Kendal Daniels--and that's saying a lot.
With Jalon Walker now out for the season, he's one of the only players the Falcons have the versatility to potentially replace him. As long as he sustains this momentum the rest of the summer, his do-it-all skillset will eventually turn him into a swiss army knife meant to fill the role Kaden Elliss left behind.
Verdict: Stock up
Ethan Onianwa, OT
Ethan Onianwa is an interesting case study for a late seventh-round pick. He's a player with the versatility to play all over the offensive line, and Atlanta selected him to be a moldable piece of clay for new OL coach Bill Callahan since he is one massive human being at 6-foot-6 and 333 pounds.
However, the Falcons haven't really tested his versatility much. With Jawaan Taylor sidelined, he's been getting most looks at right tackle, where he's split first-team reps with Michael Jerrell and Brandon Walton--though Taylor will draw the start once he returns from his stint on active/PUP.
It's hard to ever say that a seventh-round dart throw will ever be a stock-down candidate, especially since he's vying for a roster spot, but his chances of making the roster don't seem incredibly strong.
Verdict: Stock neutral
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