Atlanta Falcons 2026 7-round NFL mock draft: The Matt Ryan Era tries to make the most of past mistakes

Not a lot to work with for Kevin Stefanski, Ian Cunningham, and Matt Ryan early on…

Kyle Crabbs NFL National Writer
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Matt Ryan speaks with reporters during Ian Cunningham's introductory press conference.
via Atlanta Falcons on YouTube.

The Atlanta Falcons are part of an exclusive club this offseason.

The Falcons and Miami Dolphins are the only two franchises to make changes to both their general manager and head coach positions this offseason — although the Falcons took things a step further with the hiring of Matt Ryan to a senior executive position as well. Atlanta is looking to build off some of the building blocks assembled under Raheem Morris and will do so with a limited set of resources at their disposal on the heels of the 2025 NFL Draft trade for pass rusher James Pearce Jr. What can it look like for the Falcons? Here’s a 7-round 2026 Falcons mock draft to explore how the Falcons can get it rolling in 2026.

Atlanta Falcons 2026 7-round NFL mock draft makes the most of the aftermath of the James Pearce Jr. trade

Indiana's D'Angelo Ponds (5) celebrates after the College Football Playoff National Championship college football game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026.
Indiana’s D’Angelo Ponds (5) celebrates after the College Football Playoff National Championship college football game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026.© Rich Janzaruk/Herald-Times / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

48th overall – CB D’Angelo Ponds, Indiana Hoosiers

The cornerback position does linger as a need and the Falcons would like to think they’ve got the pass rush needed to help mitigate concerns here. But Ponds becomes an enticing player to target here despite his lack of stature — he’s got an absolute ‘dog’ mentality at the position and comfortably punches up above his weight class on the outside. Ponds as a potential starter opposite AJ Terrell gives that room just a little bit more ceiling and combativeness.

Nov 1, 2025; East Hartford, Connecticut, USA; UConn Huskies wide receiver Skyler Bell (1) reacts after his touchdown against the UAB Blazers in the second quarter at Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field.

79th overall – WR Skyler Bell, Connecticut Huskies

Drake London. Kyle Pitts. Bijan Robinson. The trio of high-drafted skill players are going to shoulder the load for the Falcons in 2026 no matter who is at quarterback. But getting another option to develop and offer some more stability as a secondary option feels like a good idea. Bell was highly productive in 2025 after cutting down on his drops. He’s an explosive weapon in the passing game who could be a great secondary piece to the offense if he can keep developing.

Feb 26, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Stephen F Austin defensive back Chuck Demmings (DB07) speaks to members of the media during the NFL Combine at the Indiana Convention Center.
Feb 26, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Stephen F Austin defensive back Chuck Demmings (DB07) speaks to members of the media during the NFL Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Jacob Musselman-Imagn Images

122nd overall (via PHI) – CB Charles Demmings, Stephen F Austin

Competition levels things up for everyone involved. The way the Falcons attacked the pass rush unit these past few years? I’d love to see some of that energy in the cornerback room. The Falcons tabbed Ponds earlier in this mock but Demmings is a fascinating small-school target with size (6-foot-1, 193 pounds), length (32.25″ arms), and explosiveness (4.41s 40-yard dash, 42″ vertical).

Nov 8, 2025; Starkville, Mississippi, USA; Georgia Bulldogs offensive lineman Micah Morris (56) reacts against the Mississippi State Bulldogs during the first half at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field. Wesley Hale-Imagn Images

215th overall (via PHI) – OG Micah Morris, Georgia Bulldogs

You can never have enough beef, right?

The Falcons have a good looking starting five up front when healthy but injuries are an inevitable part of the game, as the team found out last year with the Kaleb McGary injury. The Falcons need depth at both tackle and on the perimeter and Morris, a full-time starter in 2025 for the first time, was the best available lineman on the board when this pick came around in my simulation.

Texas A&M tight end Nate Boerkircher, left, catches a pass in the end zone to tie the game with Notre Dame linebacker Drayk Bowen, right, defending in the second half of a NCAA football game at Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025, in South Bend. The extra point scored after this touchdown put Texas A&M ahead 41-40 to win the game.
Texas A&M tight end Nate Boerkircher, left, catches a pass in the end zone to tie the game with Notre Dame linebacker Drayk Bowen, right, defending in the second half of a NCAA football game at Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025, in South Bend. The extra point scored after this touchdown put Texas A&M ahead 41-40 to win the game.

231st overall – TE Nate Boerkircher, Texas A&M Aggies

Boerkircher is a late bloomer who may end up being a diamond in the rough. He was buried at Nebraska before transferring to Texas A&M in 2025 and flashing some high-level receiving ability. But he did so in an offense that wasn’t particularly consistent passing the football. If the Falcons want a long-term developmental insurance policy to Kyle Pitts, consider me intrigued here.