The Atlanta Falcons may need to get creative since they don’t have a first-round pick. But overall, this draft is crucial for the organization. And here is the Falcons’ 2026 NFL Mock Draft roundup with the pre-draft cycle ending.
There aren’t a lot of picks on the board for the Falcons. Their first one comes at No. 48 overall. And they only have four after that with no fifth-round pick. It’s a tough situation for a team that seems to be on the cusp of true playoff contention.
Let’s see how the draft gurus are looking at the situation.
DT Christen Miller, Georgia
Nick Baumgardner, The Athletic
Miller brings a lot to the table. He could develop into an above-average starter, according to NFL.com.
“Miller is an even-front nose tackle who can rattle pads and gain early advantages at the point of attack,” Lance Zierlein wrote. “He has good stack-and-shed against single blocks but lacks the prototypical mass of a space-eater. He will lose his anchor to double teams and strong-angle blocks at times.
“He’s average at matching lateral movement off the snap but is generally aware of play design and hustles across gaps to squeeze run lanes. He’ll continue to bulk up and should become a good starter who is more consistent than dominant along the interior.”
EDGE R Mason Thomas, Oklahoma
Bruce Feldman, The Athletic; Gordon McGuiness, Pro Football Focus
It wasn’t supposed to be this way. But this is still a potential position of need for the Falcons.
“The off-field issues with James Pearce Jr. make edge a big need for Atlanta,” Feldman wrote. “An undersized prospect at 6-2, 241 pounds with 31 5/8-inch arms, Thomas ran a 4.67 40 with a 1.63-10-yard split. The Sooners were really salty on defense last year, and Thomas played a big role in that. He had 9.5 TFLs and 6.5 sacks last season after producing 12.5 and nine in 2024.
“He’s got good get-off, can really bend, and is very slippery,” said an SEC OC. “He’s also more powerful than you think, but there are games where you see him getting mauled.”
OT Max Iheanachor, Arizona State
Field Yates, ESPN
This seems unlikely, as Yates notes. But it would be a great pick if it works out this way.
“It’s plausible that Iheanachor is also gone way before this selection, as he has major upside due to only five years of football experience,” Yates wrote. “(He did not play in high school.) He showed steady annual improvement at Arizona State and has excellent traits, including an 83¼-inch wingspan. Atlanta’s starting tackles are rock solid, but LT Jake Matthews is 34, and RT Kaleb McGary is 31.”
This is another player who stands a chance to be around the NFL for a long-term period, according to NFL.com.
“He has good length and excellent lean mass,” Zierlein wrote. “His hands and footwork need refinement, but his range and play strength should translate to any run scheme. There is work to do with pass-protection technique, but strong performances against Texas Tech’s rush duo last season and at the Senior Bowl suggest Iheanachor might be more game-ready than I previously anticipated.
“In a year light on high-end tackles, Iheanachor’s measurables, athleticism, and upside could push him up the board.”
OT, Kayden McDonald, Ohio State
Jordan Reid, ESPN
The Falcons need to get better against the run if they’re going to be in the playoff mix.
“Nose tackle is a clear need for the Falcons,” Reid wrote. “McDonald is a stout presence on the interior who led the country in run stop win rate last season (7.8%) while also possessing a pass-rushing punch.”
DT Lee Hunter, Texas Tech
Tim Weaver, Falcons Wire
This address that run-defense issue. Hunter could be a bit of a sleeper pick.
“First things first, Atlanta absolutely has to bolster the interior defensive line rotation,” Weaver wrote. “With that in mind, we used the first pick on Texas Tech defensive tackle Lee Hunter (6-foot-4, 325 pounds).
“While his athletic scores leave something to be desired, Hunter has the size and lower-body power to play nose tackle well at the next level. In 52 career college games, Hunter posted 7.5 sacks and 32 tackles for a loss.”
Overall, it’s a tough draft for the Falcons. They have few picks, so every pick matters. That puts a lot of pressure on the organization. And it means they will be busy when the undrafted free-agent period begins.
The post Falcons’ 2026 NFL Mock Draft roundup with pre-draft cycle ending appeared first on ClutchPoints.
