Welcome back, Atlanta Falcons fans. It’s not even Thanksgiving, and Atlanta is already flirting with mock-draft season. Making things spicier this year: the Falcons’ 2026 first-round pick now belongs to
the Los Angeles Rams after Atlanta moved up for EDGE James Pearce Jr.
I’m not here to re-litigate the trade. Pearce’s first full sack last week was one of the sparks that kept Atlanta in the fight against a strong Colts team, even if the defense also surrendered the most rushing yards in a single game in franchise history.
That contrast is exactly why this conversation matters.
With the sun setting on this season and maybe this regime, Falcons fans are again forced to look forward.
Michael Penix Jr., blemishes and all, has still shown enough flashes to justify a future built around him. And if there’s been any silver lining to Atlanta’s offensive drought, it’s been Drake London’s surge. Since returning from a hip injury, London leads the league with four touchdowns and is tied with Jaxon Smith-Njigba for most receiving yardage over the past two weeks.
Defensively, the Falcons feel like a monkey’s paw wish come to life: After years without a consistent pass rush, Atlanta registers 13 sacks in two games, only to be paired with more than 800 yards allowed. The Falcons are the only team to accomplish such a feat.
Proof that pass rush wasn’t the only missing piece on that side of the ball.
Enter Dane Brugler’s midseason top-5, his personal snapshot of the 2026 class as college football turns the corner. Even without a first-round pick, Atlanta still holds a selection inside his top-50, currently sitting at 41st overall.
So, as Falcons fans brace for another Mystery-Meat Sunday full of question marks, maybe the draft offers at least a little hope: help could still be on the way.
Domonique Orange, DT, Iowa State
Height: 6’4”
Weight: 325
Year: Senior
Aside from having the best nickname in the class, “Big Citrus” is a legitimate NFL talent.
With his squatty and dense 330-pound frame, the Cyclones’ nose tackle not only absorbs contact and holds his ground, but he also has explosive hands to create knock-back and displace blocks.
Part of being abysmal against the run is losing at the point of attack in the interior. While Ruke Orhorhoro has been an asset rushing the passer, he and veteran David Onyemata have not done nearly enough in the run game.
“Big Citrus” Dominique Orange would immediately come in and bring an attitude up front that this Falcons run defense is sorely lacking. And this isn’t even taking into account his arsenal of pass-rush moves.
Next game: vs. Kansas, November 22nd EST
Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee
Height: 6’0”
Weight: 195
Year: Redshirt Sophomore
From Auburn to Colorado and now Tennessee, Hood is on his third program in three years — and playing well for the Volunteers.
A good-sized athlete, Hood has a team-high eight passes defended and shows the coverage awareness to make plays in man or zone.
The signing of Mike Hughes this offseason was a bet that Hughes could hold his own long enough for the Falcons to find his replacement. Hughes has been a consistent target for teams as they continue to stay away from A.J. Terrell
Colton Hood is as versatile a cornerback as you will find in this year’s draft. Good cornerback in both man and zone. His patience and fluidity make him a perfect complement to Terrell.
Next game: vs. New Mexico State, 4:15 p.m. EST
Germie Bernard, WR, Alabama
Height: 6’1”
Weight: 209
Year: Redshirt Sophomore
The feedback from scouts on Bernard has been almost universal: not exceptional in any one area — just a good football player.
Bernard is more savvy than speedy, and he does a great job using his frame and smooth athleticism to operate, both inside and outside.
Atlanta has thrown 1,093 yards to wide receivers this season, and Drake London has accounted for 691 of those yards, just over 63% of that production. For reference, Carolina’s Tetairoa McMillan leads Carolina’s wide receiver room with 54.1% of the receiver room there. The only other player with 75 or more targets in the same stratosphere is Jaxon Smith-Njigba (61.2%), who has seemed to cultivate an amazing relationship with Sam Darnold to help lead the league’s best passing offense.
London and Penix do not have that sort of connection yet. So, help is sorely needed.
Germie Bernard’s game is simple: He just wins. He can win at all three levels of the field, and he has a refined route tree to give cornerbacks nightmares.
Next game: vs. Oklahoma, 3:30 p.m. EST
Christen Miller, DT, Georgia
Height: 6’4”
Weight: 305
Year: Redshirt Junior
Miller doesn’t jump off the tape as a pass rusher (partly because he isn’t asked to attack in Georgia’s scheme). But he is a dominant run defender with the range and play strength to make stops up and down the line of scrimmage.
He’ll be an immediate part of an NFL defensive line rotation.
Along the same lines as “Big Citrus,” Miller would immediately give the interior of the defensive line some much-needed reinforcements. With some impressive quickness and great feel in the run game, Miller could be an instant difference-maker for the Falcons defense the minute he steps into Flowery Branch.
Next game: vs. Texas, 7:30 p.m. EST
Carter Smith, OT, Indiana
Height: 6’5”
Weight: 315
Year: Redshirt Junior
No disrespect to Fernando Mendoza, but Indiana is far more than just its star quarterback.
Now in his third season as the Hoosiers’ left tackle, Smith is an angry run blocker and has yet to allow a sack this season. Though his size dimensions are probably better suited for guard in the NFL, his stout anchor will serve him well wherever he lines up.
Penix isn’t the most creative of pocket maneuverers, something that can hopefully improve over a few off-seasons. Until then, keeping the pocket clean should be a must, and not many have done that job better than Carter Smith and that Indiana offensive line.
Smith’s prowess as a pass-rusher and tenacity in the run game make him an easy prospect to like for any regime that may be calling the shots in Atlanta by next draft.
Next game: vs. Wisconsin, Noon EST
