Falcons’ 2026 NFL Mock Draft preview after the Super Bowl
As the NFL calendar turns entirely in draft seasonthe Atlanta Falcons found at a fascinating crossroads. This is about reshaping the identity of a franchise entering a new era of leadership. Kevin Stefanski now runs the sideline and franchise icon Matt Ryan oversees football operations. As such, Atlanta’s 2026 draft approach carries organizational symbolism. Every projection, every connection with potential clients and every whisper from the front-office points to a central question. How aggressively will the Falcons build around Michael Penix Jr.? Early mock drafts suggest the answer could rely heavily on offensive weapons and trench reinforcements. It signals a structural pivot designed to accelerate Atlanta’s competitive timeline.
Transitional year
The Falcons’ 2025 season was a year of transition that ultimately ended with a familiar 8-9 record and a third-place finish in the NFC South. The campaign was defined by the official passing of the torch to the quarterback. Penix took the reins as the full-time starter over veteran Kirk Cousins. He showed flashes of elite accuracy and leadership despite the team’s struggles for consistency. Of course, the Falcons went on a four-game winning streak to close out the season. However, their playoff hopes were snuffed out early after a poor 4-9 start. The lack of postseason progress led to a massive reorganization right after the season finale. Owner Arthur Blank relieved head coach Raheem Morris and GM Terry Fontenot. It ushered in a new era that they led recently hired Stefanski and Ryan.
List needs
Entering 2026 NFL draftThe Falcons’ roster construction is a conundrum defined by a lack of top-end capital. There is also a looming void at the pass catching positions. Kyle Pitts is entering a contract conflict and Darnell Mooney is coming off a statistically disappointing season with injuries. That said, finding a legitimate secondary threat to pair with Drake London is priority number one. Defensively, the interior line faces a huge risk of regression if veterans like David Onyemata leave in free agency. Furthermore, Jake Matthews and Caleb McGarry are both on the wrong side of 30. As such, the Falcons must use their limited picks to find long-term talent to anchor the offensive line. They also need a reliable cornerback to start against AJ Terrell.
Here are some intriguing draft possibilities, though the Falcons don’t start picking until day two.
Edge LT Overton, Alabama
Alabama defensive lineman LT Overton is a prospect whose profile clearly fits the Falcons’ evolving defensive identity. Despite an increase in Atlanta’s production in 2025, depth concerns remain. That’s especially true when veterans like Leonard Floyd approach free agency.
Overton projects as a tough, powerful lineman. It can line up on multiple fronts. At 6-foot-5 and over 280 pounds, he offers the structural mass to function as a 5-technique. Overton can also slide in during subpack alignment. Scouts consistently highlight his motor skills and ability to reset the line of scrimmage with violent hands.
Comparisons to current Falcon Zach Harrison often come up in evaluations. It’s a player with high pedigree tools whose impact often goes beyond statistics. For defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich, adding Overton would not simply maintain the depth of the rush. It would also bolster a run defense that has shown vulnerability against downhill rushing attacks.
TE Eli Stowers, Vanderbilt
If Atlanta gets going early, Vanderbilt tight end Eli Stowers has become one of the most intriguing projections in the 2nd round. The Falcons’ uncertainty over Pitts’ contractual future only reinforces the logic behind targeting the dynamic pass-catching tight end.
Stowers’ background as a former quarterback adds schematic intrigue. His spatial awareness, route running and coverage recognition translate into elite separation ability. Those traits helped him win the John Mackey Award in 2025. Instead of functioning as a traditional line blocker, Stowers functions as a movable chess piece. He can line up in the slot, wide or shift pre-snap to dictate defensive matchups.
For an accurate passer like Penick, Stowers is an ideal outlet to stretch the seams. His presence would also allow Stefanski to deploy more difficult 12-man formations without sacrificing vertical explosiveness.
TE Michael Trigg, Baylor
Another name floating around heavily in Atlanta mock projections is Baylor’s Michael Trigg. His draft range typically stretches from the late 2nd to early 3rd round. Where Stowers represents finesse and separation, Trigg embodies physical dominance and the intimidation of a catch radius.
After a collegiate journey that included stops at USC and Ole Miss, Trigg’s breakout 2025 campaign at Baylor raised his stock significantly. His catching ability is among the most impressive in the class. He can routinely win above the rim and shield defenders with elite body positioning.
Atlanta’s offense is already built around size mismatches, most notably Drake London. As such, Trigg would double down on that philosophical approach. His vertical threat profile makes him especially dangerous in the congested red zone spacing. That’s where Penix often relied on high-scoring pitches during his collegiate rise.
Yes, past evaluations have questioned his week-to-week motor. Still, his final varsity season reflected improved consistency and route discipline. In Stefanski’s offense, Trigg projects as a specialized weapon capable of tilting goal-line efficiency.
Offensive commitment
As mock drafts continue to crystallize, Atlanta appears poised to prioritize the offensive infrastructure around Penix. Whether it’s limited-area weapons, trench fortification or pass-catching depth, the Falcons’ projected selections reflect a franchise determined to accelerate quarterback development, not delay it.
This strategy is consistent with Stefanski’s historic offensive philosophy. That’s built on layered personnel grouping, tight end versatility and playmaking efficiency. Surrounding Penick with matchmaking advantages would insulate the attack from contractual uncertainty over existing weapons.
Ultimately, Atlanta’s 2026 draft should be remembered for what it represents organizationally. It is the first personnel draft of the new regime. If executed correctly, it could transform the Falcons from NFC South fringe contenders to legitimate postseason threats, and perhaps sooner than many expect.
2026-02-17 14:36:00
