With the final whistle blown on the 2025–26 NFL season, we have reached one of my favorite times of the year: Mock draft season has officially arrived.
Welcome, Atlanta Falcons fans, to the Kevin Stefanski experience.
Expect the field to shrink, heavier personnel, and an offense built to dictate terms instead of reacting to them. Under Stefanski, expect condensed formations designed to support a physical, efficient run game. With the hiring of Bill Callahan, one of the most respected offensive line
coaches in football, that unit isn’t expected to be a passable unit. It’s expected to be a key component of the team’s future success.
Still, the Falcons enter the offseason with no shortage of questions.
On defense, who lines up opposite A.J. Terrell, and how does Atlanta replace the production of James Pearce Jr.?
Up front, can Jake Matthews and Kaleb McGary hold up for another season?
On offense, is Tyler Allgeier going to be here next year? Does the receiver room require Darnell Mooney insurance? And is Kyle Pitts part of the long-term plan?
Then there’s the elephant in the room: if Michael Penix Jr. isn’t ready to go, who’s under center in Week 1?
This first mock draft is an attempt to get Stefanski and company started in the right direction, with a monumental emphasis on the interior of both lines. If this year’s Super Bowl, highlighted by relentless pressure and a game-sealing strip sack, taught us anything, it’s that championships are still won in the trenches.
So, let’s bring on the beef.
Round 2, Pick 48: Isaiah World, OT, Oregon
Height: 6’8”
Weight: 318
Year: RS Senior
One of the benefits of having a tackle as consistent as Jake Matthews, and a world-class offensive line coach, is that you can take some shots that other teams with more pressing, immediate needs along the offensive line cannot. And with the first pick of the Stefanski-Ryan-Cunningham regime, you better believe I’m getting the toolsiest offensive lineman that I can find.
Isaiah World entered the 2025 NCAA season as perhaps the best transfer player, let alone offensive lineman, after spending four years at Nevada. As an Oregon Duck, he had the pleasure of going against Matayo Uiagalelei every day in practice, helping World with the fundamentals of playing the tackle position. His basketball background lends to his stellar athleticism and quick feet.
With Callahan in tow, Stefanski and company can take a shot on developing World into, at worst, a useful piece in the offensive line rotation, and at best, a Jake Matthews replacement, so the Ironman can finally ride off in the sunset.
Other names considered: Iowa OT Gennings Dunker, Northwestern OT Caleb Tiernan
Round 3, Pick 79: Florida State DT Darell Jackson, Jr.
Height: 6’5”
Weight: 337
Year: RS Senior
I want you to close your eyes and picture your perfect nose tackle.
He’s probably a guy with a massive frame, roughly 6’4” to 6’6”, and pushing the scale well over 300 pounds, probably getting closer to 330 to 340. Now, he probably moves really well in a phone booth, but also has the strength to bench-press an interior offensive lineman when necessary. Especially in the run game.
Okay. Now, open your eyes.
Darrell Jackson, Jr., along with the rest of this impressive defensive tackle group, may still be there at 79 because of the lack of pass-rush juice he possesses. But make no mistake, this man is a load to deal with in the middle, and will immediately bring some fire to a Falcons run defense that has been sorely lacking it lately.
Other names considered: Cincinnati DT Dontay Corleone, Iowa State DT Domonique Orange, Texas Tech LB Jacob Rodriguez
Round 4, Pick 114: Jake Slaughter, C, Florida
Height: 6’4”
Weight: 305
Year: RS Senior
All of those things that I said about Bill Callahan when it comes to Isaiah World? Go ahead and copy-paste that with Jake Slaughter. With Ryan Neuzil still getting paid through 2026, Slaughter has a chance to develop into the center that Stefanski and company need for the future of this team.
Slaughter is a smart football player who allowed one…one sack in over 800 snaps in 2024 and was a Rimington Trophy finalist in 2025.
Other names considered: LSU LB Harold Perkins, Washington CB Tacario Davis, North Dakota State WR Bryce Lance
Round 6, Pick 195: Mikail Kamara, EDGE, Indiana
Height: 6’1”
Weight: 265
Year: RS Senior
It’s everyone’s favorite time: Special teams guys!
Sure, you can squint and tilt and figure out a way for Mikail Kamara to get on the field for your defense; he did lead the Big Ten in quarterback pressures on Indiana’s magical National Championship run last season. But, if you’re a serious franchise, and we’re hoping the Falcons are building to that, you’re looking at Kamara and seeing his explosiveness and straight-line speed, and thinking about what he can offer you in the third phase of the game.
Other names considered: Penn State QB Drew Allar, Illinois QB Luke Altmyer, Clemson DT DeMonte Capehart
Round 7, Pick 231: Ephesians Prysock, CB, Washington
Height: 6’4”
Weight: 195
Year: Senior
The length that Ephesians Prysock can bring to your CB room is just too much for me to ignore. His arms are so long, his size is a tremendous asset, I don’t see him dropping further than maybe early day-three when all things are said and done.
Someone is going to see his ability in man coverage and fall in love with the thought of potentially developing him into a Great Value Tariq Woolen.
