🏈 Falcons NFL Draft Predictions 2026: Mock Draft Picks, Best Prospect Fits, Team Needs & More
Without a first-round pick after trading it to the Rams, the Atlanta Falcons enter draft week picking at No. 48 in Round 2 and looking to surround Michael Penix Jr. with more weapons as the Kevin Stefanski era gets underway - starting with a receiver to pair alongside Drake London.
As part of our NFL draft predictions for every team, we break down the Falcons' full draft picks, biggest team needs, ideal prospect fits, mock draft projections, and our prediction for which player Atlanta will draft with their first pick ahead of the first round, which begins Thursday at 8 p.m. ET live on ABC, ESPN, and NFL Network.
📊 Falcons draft picks 2026
See where the Falcons rank by the latest Super Bowl odds for every team.
| Round | Pick(s) |
|---|---|
| 1 | No pick (traded to LAR) |
| 2 | No. 48 |
| 3 | No. 79 |
| 4 | No. 104 |
| 5 | No. 153 |
| 6 | No. 189, 194 |
| 7 | No. 231 |
🆘 Falcons team needs entering draft
We break down every team's projected NFL win totals with our best Over/Under picks by division.
- Team needs: WR, EDGE, OL, CB, S
- Key additions: Jahan Dotson (WR), Samson Ebukam (EDGE), Azeez Ojulari (EDGE), Jawaan Taylor (OT), Brian Robinson (RB), Tua Tagovailoa (QB), Kyle Pitts (franchise tag)
- Key departures: Kirk Cousins (QB, Raiders), Darnell Mooney (WR, Giants), Arnold Ebiketie (EDGE, Eagles), Kaleb McGary (OT, retiring), Kaden Elliss (LB, Saints), Leonard Floyd (EDGE), David Onyemata (DL, Jets)
Penix needs a reliable No. 2 receiver opposite London after Mooney left for New York, and Dotson alone may not be enough. The edge rush lost three contributors in Ebiketie, Floyd, and Street, and while Ebukam and Ojulari provide short-term reinforcements, neither is a long-term solution. The offensive line also needs attention with McGary's retirement leaving a hole at right tackle that Taylor's one-year deal is meant to bridge.
🏈 Falcons draft prospect fits
I asked NFL draft expert Rob Paul to pick the Falcons' best prospect fit in a dream scenario, their safest pick, and their best upside pick:
| Pick type | No. 48 pick | Grade | Paul's take |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🌟 Dream pick | Chris Bell, WR, Louisville | 7.10 | Before a torn ACL late last season, Bell was in the first-round conversation and could be an ideal complement to Drake London with his size and explosiveness as a power slot or an outside X |
| 🛡️ Safe pick | Germie Bernard, WR, Alabama | 7.05 | If Atlanta wants to add a reliable wide receiver who can start right away, Bernard's well-rounded skill set and route-running polish make him one of the safer bets in the class |
| 🚀 Upside pick | De'Zhaun Stribling, WR, Mississippi | 7.0 | Stribling's combination of size and downfield playmaking ability would give Penix a legitimate deep threat, and his ball skills in contested situations make him an intriguing fit opposite London |
More scouting reports & player profiles
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➡️ Carnell Tate draft profile: Scouting report, team prediction & draft odds
➡️ Jordyn Tyson draft profile: Scouting report, team prediction & draft odds
📝 Falcons mock draft consensus picks
I went through the latest mock drafts from other top experts across the industry and gathered their predictions for the Falcons' first pick in the 2026 NFL draft. Because Atlanta does not have a first-round pick, these projections come from the four expert mocks that extend into Round 2:
| Source | Pick |
|---|---|
| Mel Kiper (ESPN) | Germie Bernard, WR, Alabama |
| Chad Reuter (NFL.com) | Chris Bell, WR, Louisville |
| Mike Renner (CBS) | De'Zhaun Stribling, WR, Mississippi |
| Dane Brugler (The Athletic) | Germie Bernard, WR, Alabama |
All four mocks we surveyed have the Falcons taking a wide receiver in Round 2 - making it the most unanimous position call for any team without a first-round pick. The only debate is which one. Alabama's Germie Bernard appears twice, while Louisville's Chris Bell (Paul's dream pick) and Mississippi's De'Zhaun Stribling round out the options. Paul agrees with the receiver direction in his mock.
🔮 Falcons draft prediction 2026
See Rob Paul's expert NFL mock draft for projections and analysis of all 32 first-round picks.
Paul's pick at No. 48: Chris Bell, WR, Louisville
- Pro comparison: Chris Godwin
- Measurables: 6'2" | 222 lbs | 21 years old | RAS: N/A
As the Kevin Stefanski era gets underway, the Atlanta Falcons need to find more wide receiver help if Michael Penix Jr. is going to live up to where he was drafted. Before a torn ACL late last season, Chris Bell was in the first round conversation and could be an ideal complement to Drake London. With his size and explosiveness, Bell can play as a power slot or on the outside as an X. He's just as dangerous creating YAC as he is winning contested catches downfield.
🏈 NFL draft predictions by team
See the live NFL draft odds for the top picks from the best NFL betting sites.
Ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft, I broke down every team's full draft capital, their biggest needs and ideal prospect fits, the latest mock draft consensus from industry experts, and our draft prediction for their first pick this week:
AFC East: Bills | Dolphins | Jets | Patriots
AFC North: Bengals | Browns | Ravens | Steelers
AFC South: Colts | Jaguars | Texans | Titans
AFC West: Broncos | Chargers | Chiefs | Raiders
NFC East: Commanders | Cowboys | Eagles | Giants
NFC North: Bears | Lions | Packers | Vikings
NFC South: Buccaneers | Falcons | Panthers | Saints
NFC West: 49ers | Cardinals | Rams | Seahawks
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