Feb. 18, 2026, 5:34 p.m. ET

Atlanta Falcons general manager Ian Cunningham has his work cut out for him this offseason. The first-year GM will need to make some tough decisions over the next few weeks. One of the many challenges that Cunningham faces will be navigating the 2026 NFL Draft without a first-round pick.

The Falcons sent that pick to the Los Angeles Rams on Day 1 of the 2025 NFL Draft to trade up for edge rusher James Pearce Jr. With Pearce’s future up in the air following his recent arrest, the team may need to find a replacement for the breakout edge rusher in 2026.

Pro Football Focus released a new three-round mock draft which has the Falcons taking an edge rusher in the second round. Gordon McGuinness projected the team to draft Oklahoma’s R Mason Thomas with 48th overall pick.

Pick No. 48: EDGE R Mason Thomas, Oklahoma

While PFF only provided analysis for its first-round 1 selections, there is plenty to like about the Sooners pass rusher. Thomas recorded 6.5 sacks and two forced fumbles last season. He earned a PFF pass-rushing grade of 90.4 and recorded 28 pressures. The Oklahoma standout was rated as the 38th overall player on PFF’s 2026 big board.

Expert NFL picks: Exclusive betting insights only at USA TODAY.Pick No. 79: TE Michael Trigg, Baylor

In Round 3, the Falcons were projected to take a potential Kyle Pitts replacement in Baylor tight end Michael Trigg. Last season, Trigg finished posted career highs in receptions (50), receiving yards (694) and touchdowns (6). The Bears tight end is the 76th rated prospect on PFF’s big board, which is right in line with the Falcons’ 79th overall pick.

Pitts, who headlines Atlanta’s 2026 free agency class, is considered a candidate for the franchise tag. The fifth-year tight end had fallen out of favor with Falcons fans prior to the 2024 season. Pitts bounced back in 2025, though, recording 88 catches for 928 receiving yards and five touchdowns.

If the team fails to get a long-term deal done with Pitts, tagging him would cost the Atlanta around $16.3 million next season. The deadline for NFL teams to use the franchise tag is March 3, so we’ll have to wait and see what Cunningham has planned.