The Atlanta Falcons did not have a first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, but they added two players in Round 1 of last year's draft. Edge rushers Jalon Walker and James Pearce Jr. both impressed as rookies (on the field), however, the team still missed the playoffs last season.
The Falcons' blockbuster trade with the Los Angeles Rams to acquire Pearce in 2025 left general manager Ian Cunningham a bit shorthanded in his first draft taking over for Terry Fontenot. The team's philosophy on draft capital has shifted under Cunningham, but Fontenot definitely hit on a few of his first-round picks.
The Falcons drafted Kyle Pitts, Drake London and Bijan Robinson in consecutive years. While the jury is still out on Michael Penix Jr., most of Fontenot's Round 1 picks were solid.
CBS Sports' Mike Renner ranked all 191 first-round draft picks since 2020. The Falcons have had seven first-round selections over that span, so let's see where they were ranked.
22: CB A.J. Terrell
#falcons #picks #pearce
The Falcons' blockbuster trade with the Los Angeles Rams to acquire Pearce in 2025 left general manager Ian Cunningham a bit shorthanded in his first draft taking over for Terry Fontenot. The team's philosophy on draft capital has shifted under Cunningham, but Fontenot definitely hit on a few of his first-round picks.
The Falcons drafted Kyle Pitts, Drake London and Bijan Robinson in consecutive years. While the jury is still out on Michael Penix Jr., most of Fontenot's Round 1 picks were solid.
CBS Sports' Mike Renner ranked all 191 first-round draft picks since 2020. The Falcons have had seven first-round selections over that span, so let's see where they were ranked.
22: CB A.J. Terrell
#falcons #picks #pearce
2 months ago
