Falcons draft cornerback Avieon Terrell, pair him with brother A.J. Terrell: Why A.J. didn't want it to happen

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A draftee celebrating with his family and friends after hearing his name called is one of the best parts of the NFL Draft. But few get to celebrate with a new teammate, and even fewer get to celebrate with a new teammate who's also a family member.

That's the case for cornerback Avieon Terrell, though: The Falcons took him with the No. 48 overall pick Friday, pairing him with older brother A.J. Terrell in the Atlanta secondary.

AJ and Avieon Terrell embrace after becoming @AtlantaFalcons teammates ❤️

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— NFL (@NFL) April 25, 2026

Brothers playing together isn't super rare -- Cameron and Connor Heyward did it last year for the Steelers, as did Quinnen and Quincy Williams for the Jets -- but two playing the same position for the same team is.

A.J. has been a constant for the Falcons ever since they drafted him No. 16 overall in 2020. He was a second-team All-Pro in 2021, and he signed a four-year, $81 million extension ahead of the 2024 season. Now, he'll be lining up alongside his brother. Interestingly, though, A.J. previously said he hoped not to play with his little brother.

"I want to play against him and see him walk on the sideline," A.J. told ESPN a few weeks ago. "I want to see him play and I want him to have his own story somewhere else. I don't want the narrative to be the Terrell brothers."