SI grades the Atlanta Falcons' 2026 NFL Draft class

The 2026 NFL Draft concluded nearly two weeks ago, but we still haven't finished examining grades from various media outlets. For the most part, the Atlanta Falcons' six-player draft class has not been well received around the NFL.

Since the team did not have a first-round pick, Atlanta had to wait until Day 2 to select Clemson cornerback Avieon Terrell with the 48th overall pick. Then in Round 3, the team added Georgia wide receiver Zachariah Branch. While the Falcons were praised for these Day 2 picks, their overall draft class failed to impress.

SI released its 2026 NFL Draft grades and the Falcons were ranked 28th in the league with a "C" grade for their 2026 class.

Falcons' draft class receives C grade from SI

"Drafting Avieon Terrell and reuniting him with his brother A.J. Terrell is more than a good story," wrote SI's Justin Melo. "The Atlanta Falcons landed an instant contributor at cornerback. Third-round pick Zachariah Branch must prove he possesses the play strength required to be more than a gadget weapon. Harold Perkins Jr. was a value sixth-round selection, but the overall grade here suffers from not having a first-round pick."

The Falcons did not earn many points with their four selections on Day 3. Atlanta took safety-turned-linebacker Kendal Daniels out of Oklahoma after trading down in the fourth round, followed by Washington defensive lineman Anterio Thompson, LSU linebacker Harold Perkins Jr. and offensive lineman Ethan Onianwa in the seventh round.

Heading into the draft, the Falcons were in a tough spot having just five total picks. Even after adding an additional sixth-round pick via trade, the team had no choice but to focus on adding depth in the first draft under general manager Ian Cunningham.