Falcons target explosiveness with Chris Brazzle at No. 48

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Atlanta turned to Chris Brazzle early to add a jolt

Last season, Atlanta’s passing game averaged 6.8 yards per attempt and ranked 23rd in DVOA. Their explosive pass rate was around 7 percent, well behind the league’s top offenses, which sit closer to 10 or 11 percent.

When an offense doesn’t manage an explosive play during a drive, it scores just 6.3 percent of the time. With even one such play, that number jumps above 50 percent. Atlanta didn’t create those moments often enough last season, and selecting Chris Brazzle at No.48 looks like a move aimed squarely at changing that.

Falcons lack a true deep threat opposite Drake London

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While Atlanta’s offense did enough to get by in 2025, it never really posed much of a threat. The absence of big plays was noticeable, and the current group doesn’t have anyone who can stretch the field and create room underneath for others.

Vertical passing remains one of the most effective aspects of the game. Throws that travel over 20 yards typically bring in 15 to 20 yards per attempt and add much more value compared to shorter passes. Even when they aren’t getting the ball, vertical receivers still impact how defences line up. That’s a piece Atlanta’s offense is still missing.

Chris Brazzle’s route map does not feature every route on the tree

Brazzle is not going to fit into a heavy target share. He ran only 21 percent of the possible routes at Washington State, and 61 percent of his yards came from just two routes.

His deep ball efficiency also suffered when teams started rolling coverage and playing with a cushion. His receiving numbers dropped in each of his last three games of 2025, including season lows against both Washington and Air Force, who each held him to less than 40 yards.

His route tree is not fully developed, and that is exactly why he is available at No. 48

Brazzle’s game is built more on speed than technique. His route running still needs some work, which brings some risk into the equation. He isn’t the safest option in this draft.

But he might be one of the most dynamic. Players with similar skill sets — like DK Metcalf and George Pickens, who had similar questions coming out of college — still managed to make immediate impacts, even before their route trees were polished.

The second round is the right spot to bet on upside like Brazzle’s. Since 2015, there have been plenty of receivers picked in this range who’ve turned into Pro Bowlers, even if it’s less common than in the first round.

Why the Falcons went for Chris Brazzle

Atlanta wasn’t looking for another safe, complementary player in this draft. They were looking for someone who could add a new dimension to their offense, especially at pick No. 48 where teams often target higher-upside prospects rather than those with just a high floor.

Brazzle fits exactly what Atlanta needs. He brings proven vertical production and strong efficiency numbers, even if he’s not the most polished receiver in the class. His game has enough risk that he slipped into the second round, but it’s that same element of uncertainty that makes him appealing. The Falcons are banking on his potential to stretch defenses and create more space for their other playmakers.

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