The Atlanta Falcons are just five days away from kicking off the 2026 NFL preseason, but many questions remain around their starting lineup, including the quarterback and inside linebacker positions. These next three weeks will be crucial in determining the team's Week 1 starting lineup.
The QB1 decision obviously comes down to health, but thus far, that hasn't really clarified things as much as we would have assumed. Tua Tagovailoa opened camp with a back injury. Meanwhile, Michael Penix Jr. is likely still a few weeks away from being cleared, but he left the door open to come back sooner than anticipated.
"Another four weeks, probably, before going to the next stage," Penix said on July 29. "But at the same time, it could be earlier."
Sticking
with this timeline, Penix should be cleared in about two weeks. Since nothing about his play suggests he is behind on his recovery, there's a chance he could return for the team's third preseason game on August 28 against the Dolphins.
Check out our projected starting lineups on offense and defense for Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season.
Falcons Week 1 offensive lineup projection
- QB Michael Penix Jr.
- RB Bijan Robinson
- WR Drake London
- WR Jahan Dotson
- WR Zachariah Branch
- TE Kyle Pitts
- TE Charlie Woerner
- LT Jake Matthews
- LG Matthew Bergeron
- C Ryan Neuzil
- RG Chris Lindstrom
- RT Jawaan Taylor
Tagovailoa could just as easily win the job, though. Injury factor aside, his accuracy and ability to operate an offense with weapons has been proven over the years in Miami. But unless Tua proves to be significantly better over these next few weeks, I would go with Penix in Week 1.
I saw enough from Penix last season, especially the way he responded in his second matchup against the Panthers prior to his injury. He has the ability to push the ball down the field without turning it over at a high clip (NFL-low 1.1 interception rate in 2025), and should only get better at the less polished aspects of his game under Kevin Stefanski.
The Falcons don't exactly have Super Bowl expectations this season, and it's not that crazy to give a quarterback you drafted No. 8 overall three years before totally giving up on him. Penix didn't even play for most of his rookie season as he was stuck behind Kirk Cousins.
Aside from the QB decision, there wasn't much else to debate in terms of the team's starting lineup. Jawaan Taylor at right tackle is really the only question mark. The former Chiefs lineman has yet to practice but Stefanski expects him back soon.
At wide receiver, I think Zachariah Branch will ultimately serve as the No. 2 by the end of the season in terms of his overall usage. I also listed Charlie Woerner as the No. 2 tight end, but I expect Austin Hooper to get on the field quite a bit as well considering the team likes to run 3TE sets.
Falcons Week 1 defensive lineup projection
- DL: Brandon Dorlus
- DT: Maason Smith
- DL: Zach Harrison
- LB/EDGE: Samson Ebukam
- ILB: Divine Deablo
- ILB: Christian Harris
- LB/EDGE: Azeez Ojulari
- CB: A.J. Terrell
- CB: Mike Hughes
- NB: Avieon Terrell
- S: Xavier Watts
- S: Jessie Bates III
The Falcons are still working out their nickel rotation, and considering the severity of Bowman's injury, I could see the team being cautious with their projected starter going into Week 1. Even though I believe rookie Avieon Terrell will ultimately play on the outside, it wouldn't surprise me if he fills in for Bowman to start the season.
Harrison is not dealing with as severe of an injury, and I think he could be cleared by Week 1. At linebacker, Divine Deablo is set to wear the green dot, but there's still some uncertainty at the other starting spot.
Christian Harris appears to be the first in line, but don't sleep on rookies Kendal Daniels or Harold Perkins for this spot. With all of that said, here's a look at our projected Week 1 starting lineup for the Falcons defense.
One thing you may have noticed was James Pearce Jr.'s absence in our Week 1 projection. The NFL is expected to make a decision on Pearce's rumored suspension in the next few days, according to Falcons president/CEO Greg Beadles.
"First of all, James has been doing really well, everything that we want him to do on and off of the field, so that's been great," Beadles told Falcons reporter Kelly Price. "And we do expect sometime in the next several days that we'll hear from the league just officially what the stance is going to be with him going forward."
While I don't believe it's a foregone conclusion that Pearce gets suspended, it seems more likely than not at this point. That's why I have former Bulldogs edge rusher Azeez Ojulari slotted in for Pearce.
Ultimately, we just have to wait and see what the NFL decides.
This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: Projecting the Falcons' starting lineups for Week 1 of 2026 season
