4 wide receiver targets for the Falcons in the 2026 NFL Draft

The Atlanta Falcons went into the offseason with little depth at the wide receiver position, and that was before they released Darnell Mooney. The team hasn't had a decent slot receiver since Ray-Ray McCloud's 2024 campaign.

While the Falcons signed Jahan Dotson and brought back Olamide Zaccheaus, it couldn't hurt to add more depth, and possibly someone who finished with over 400 receiving yards last season. We expect the team to target receivers in the 2026 NFL Draft.

With that in mind, here are four possible wide receiver targets for the Falcons in next week's draft.

1). WR Brenen Thompson, Mississippi State

• 2025 stats: 57 catches, 1,054 yards, 6 TD

Thompson is a clear slot receiver at 5-foot-9, 170 pounds, however, he could be a matchup nightmare as the ultimate motion piece in the NFL. His absurd 4.26 second 40 time at the combine was undeniable proof that he has the type of speed to get behind defenses. At the very least, that kind of explosiveness would open things up for Drake London and Kyle Pitts. Thompson had 57 receptions, 1,054 receiving yards (18.5 yards per catch) and six touchdowns in his final year at Mississippi State.

2). WR Chris Brazzell II, Tennesee

• 2025 stats: 61 catches, 1,006 yards, 9 TD

Matt Ryan knows better than anyone how much adding a big-bodied wide receiver can help a young quarterback. Brazzell is taller than Julio Jones at 6-foot-5, 200 pounds, and recorded a faster 40 time at the combine (4.37 seconds). I'm not saying he's anywhere close to as good as the Falcons legend, but Brazzell averaged 16.5 yards per catch last season and finished with 1,006 receiving yards and nine touchdowns. "If a team bets on his skill set and he hits, he has the potential to become an impact player," PFF wrote of the Day 2 prospect.

3). WR Zachariah Branch, Georgia

• 2025 stats: 81 catches, 811 yards 6 TD

Branch backed up his game tape with a 4.35-second 40 time at the combine. He has enough in the toolbox to succeed as a rookie, but he needs to add more polish to his game to maximize his skill set at the NFL level. Last season, Branch reeled in 81 catches for 811 yards and six touchdowns. While Falcons fans are always going to favor Georgia players in the draft, there's a lot to like about Branch. He could be a target in Rounds 2-3. Atlanta currently has the 48th and 79th overall picks on Day 2 of the draft.

4). WR De'Zhaun Stribling, Ole Miss

• 2025 stats: 55 catches, 811 yards, 6 TD

Stribling also finished the 2025 season with 811 receiving yards, but he did so on 55 catches as opposed to Branch's 81. The Rebels standout has a sturdy frame (6-foot-2, 210 pounds) and only recorded one drop last year. After posting back-to-back 800-yard seasons, Stribling is someone who should be on Atlanta's radar starting in Round 3. "Stribling is a strong, competitive receiver with natural hands and a physical playstyle that shows up as a blocker, after the catch and at the catch point," PFF wrote in the Ole Miss wide receiver's scouting report.

This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: Atlanta Falcons WR targets in 2026 NFL Draft