Updated March 3, 2026, 5:26 p.m. ET
The Atlanta Falcons have several areas to address during the 2026 NFL offseason, but they don’t have much salary cap space or draft capital. Due to this lack of resources, general manager Ian Cunningham will have to get creative in order to upgrade the roster.
Plus, the Falcons will need to maximize the picks that they do have, starting in the second round. With needs at edge rusher, defensive tackle, wide receiver and other positions, the team can simply take the best overall player in the second round.
ESPN’s new two-round NFL mock draft has the Falcons addressing their defensive line with Ohio State nose tackle Kayden McDonald at pick No. 48.
“Nose tackle is a clear need for the Falcons,” wrote ESPN’s Jordan Reid. “McDonald is a stout presence on the interior who led the country in run stop win rate last season (7.8%) while also possessing a pass-rushing punch.”
Landing McDonald at pick No. 48 would be a nice value pick for Cunningham in his first draft as Atlanta’s new GM. The Buckeyes defensive tackle is a force at 6-foot-3, 326 pounds. Pro Football Focus has McDonald ranked as the 24th overall prospect in the 2026 draft class.
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Last season, he recorded 31 solo tackles, three sacks and earned a 91.2 grade against the run. McDonald still needs to improve as a pass rusher, but he’s already an NFL-ready run defender who’s capable of contributing right away.
The Falcons could lose starting defensive tackle David Onyemata in free agency, and while Brandon Dorlus and Ruke Orhorhoro came on strong last season, the team still needs to add more depth on the interior.
The 2026 NFL Draft starts on April 23 and concludes on April 25. The Falcons will have to wait until Day 2 to make their first pick.
