The Falcons added depth with their final selections of the 2026 NFL Draft, as expected. As anticipated, they weren’t just looking for guys to quietly fill roles.
Instead, everyone the Falcons took has a whisper of promise. We have no idea whether that will be realized, but we do know the Falcons were looking for players who have traits and talent that suggest they can be more than just special teamers and backups. With that in mind, let’s talk roster implications for the quartet of picks from earlier
today.
Kendal Daniels will push for a starting job
Remember when De’Vondre Campbell was selected in the fourth round and ended up starting 10 games in 2016 for the Falcons? I’m sure Jeff Ulbrich does.
I’m not suggesting that Daniels is Campbell, but I am suggesting that a talented fourth rounder who isn’t facing any standout competition may well win the job. Christian Harris is the chief obstacle to that, and a 27 game starter who was Atlanta’s only credible inside linebacker addition in free agency is not an obstacle to wave away. But Daniels, like Campbell, is primarily getting knocked for being a little slow to react at times and not having ideal instincts, rather than a lack of coverage ability, physicality, athleticism, or talent.
Ulbrich can coach him up, and Daniels is by all accounts a motivated, smart player to begin with. I wouldn’t be at all shocked if he’s starting next to Divine Deablo in Week 1.
Anterio Thomas will slot in to the back end of the defensive line rotation
Thomas doesn’t impact anyone in the current rotation; he just supplements it. This is a player who has been a bit of an inconsistent run defender in his career but was quite good a year ago, and he’s always had the burst and nastiness to be a force as a pass rusher. Better consistency will need to be there and experience will help him achieve that, but initially this is probably a 10 snap per game player who will get Nate Ollie’s coaching and the ability to pin his ears back and chase the quarterback.
Despite being a sixth round pick, Thomas has real talent and energy and could be a more prominent part of the rotation going forward. In year one, with quite a few options in front of him, his impact will be limited unless he really stands out.
Harold Perkins Jr. is an enigma
Do you know where Perkins is going to play? I don’t.
Tre’Shon Diaz notes that he’ll be a major factor on special teams, where the team needs his energy and aggression, but I genuinely don’t know what his path to playing time is otherwise. Will he get some snaps at edge rusher, where his speed and good hand usage could make him a nuisance despite his lack of size? Will he man inside linebacker at times, serving as a Kaden Elliss-esque blitz threat to cause headaches and working on his coverage and tackling shakiness in real-time? Will he do a little bit of both, spelling starters on clear passing downs?
I don’t know, but Jeff Ulbrich probably has a vision for him. Perkins isn’t going to start and likely won’t get a ton of playing time, but if Ulbrich can find a few different ways to turn him loose, he seems like an agent of chaos the Falcons could use.
Ethan Onianwan is a lottery ticket and a deep reserve
Onianwan didn’t start a tackle for Ohio State last year, and seems likely to kick in to guard in the pros. He’s an absolutely mammoth human being who could be a mauler in the run game with time and effort, but Onianwan should be firmly behind Kyle Hinton on the interior in 2026 as he adjusts to the NFL. If he’s doing particularly well this summer, though, he could ensure Hinton is the only guard in front of him; I’m also interested to see if Bill Callahan believes he has any potential at tackle. Write his name down as someone who could be a lot more intriguing in 2027 if his development goes well.
