The Atlanta Falcons have released their first official depth chart of the 2026 NFL season ahead of Sunday's opener on the road against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
There's not much in the way of surprises after three preseason games and 37 cuts last weekend to bring the roster down to 53 for the regular season. There are a few interesting notes, though, including two of the team's 2026 draft picks being listed in the starting lineup for Week 1.
The first of them will be lining up next to Divine Deablo at the second level at off-ball linebacker. That's where rookie Kendal Daniels has beaten out veteran Christian Harris for the right to start.
Daniels spent four years at Oklahoma State before transferring to Oklahoma for his final college season. All
together he appeared in 54 games at the college level, totaling 293 tackles, five interceptions, 16 passes defensed and 7.5 sacks. A fourth-round pick by Atlanta, Daniels impressed during the preseason with his size and physical style that may remind some fans of former Falcons linebacker De'Vondre Campbell.
The first challenge for Daniels will be helping to slow down the Steelers' run game, led by Jaylen Warren and Rico Dowdle. Expect Daniels to also be challenged in coverage by tight ends Pat Freiermuth and Darnell Washington.
On the back end of Jeff Ulbrich's defense there's another rookie to be found in the form of the Falcons' second-round pick, former Clemson cornerback Avieon Terrell - the younger brother of A.J. Terrell. In 39 college games, Terrell totaled three interceptions, 25 passes defensed, nine tackles for a loss and eight forced fumbles.
Atlanta plans to play the younger Terrell both in the slot and on the boundary, but to begin his career he'll be starting at the nickel spot that fell to Billy Bowman Jr. last season.
Bowman is still not 100 percent, so we'll see if he returns to the starting lineup once healthy. In the meantime, Terrell's main selling points are his ball skills and a tenacious style for a defender his size.
The rookie's first matchup in the slot will come against Steelers receiver Roman Wilson. You won't find any rookies in the starting lineup on the other side of the ball. The closest thing is Zachariah Branch, who's listed as second in the slot behind returning veteran Olamide Zaccheaus.
Check out the team's full Week 1 depth chart HERE!
This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: Falcons reveal two rookies starting on defense Week 1 vs. Steelers
