The Atlanta Falcons don’t have a first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft due to last year’s trade with the Los Angeles Rams. Late in the first round, the Falcons traded away their second-round pick and 2026 first-rounder to the Rams in exchange for the 26th overall pick and a third-round selection.

Most NFL analysts criticized Atlanta for giving up too much, but rookie James Pearce Jr. proved to be worth the risk. The former Tennessee standout led all rookies with 10.5 sacks this season. Plus, the Falcons used the Rams’ third-round pick to move up five spots and select safety Xavier Watts 96th overall.

Watts led all rookies with five interceptions and started every game for the Falcons this season. Both Pearce and Watts are Defensive Rookie of the Year candidates. While Atlanta likely doesn’t regret the trade, many wondered where the team’s 2026 first-round pick would land.

The Falcons finished with an 8-9 record, which means the Rams will get the 13th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Check out the full first-round draft order as of wild-card weekend below.

2026 NFL Draft order: Round 1Las Vegas RaidersNew York JetsArizona CardinalsTennessee TitansNew York GiantsCleveland BrownsWashington CommandersNew Orleans SaintsKansas City ChiefsCincinnati BengalsMiami DolphinsDallas CowboysL.A. Rams (from Falcons)Baltimore RavensTampa Bay BuccaneersIndianapolis ColtsDetroit LionsMinnesota VikingsCarolina PanthersDallas Cowboys (from Packers)Pittsburgh SteelersL.A. ChargersPhiladelphia EaglesBuffalo BillsChicago BearsSan Francisco 49ersHouston TexansCleveland Browns (from Jaguars)L.A. RamsNew England PatriotsDenver BroncosSeattle Seahawks

While the Falcons don’t have a first-rounder in 2026, they have other picks in the later rounds. Check out the team’s current list of picks in the 2026 NFL Draft, via Tankathon.

Atlanta Falcons: List of picks in 2026 NFL DraftRound 2 (Projected pick No. 48)Round 3 (Projected pick No. 79)Round 4 (Projected pick No. 114)Round 6 (Projected pick No. 197)Round 7 (Projected pick No. 231)

The Falcons have already requested several interviews with potential head coach and general manager candidates. Follow along with each update on the hunt for a new head coach and general manager using our Falcons interview tracker!