The Atlanta Falcons have one borderline elite wide receiver in Drake London, but they still lack depth at the position after the first month of NFL free agency. The team released veterans Darnell Mooney and KhaDarel Hodge at the start of the new league year.

While Mooney was plagued by injuries in 2025, he’s still a starting-caliber receiver when healthy. He finished with just under 1,000 receiving yards one year ago. Hodge was a solid depth piece who made the Pro Bowl due to his special teams ability in 2024.

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The Falcons signed Jahan Dotson and Olamide Zaccheaus as replacements in free agency, but this wide receiver group could use an injection of talent. The team never found a capable replacement for slot receiver Ray-Ray McCloud last season, which is why the position remains a need despite adding Dotson and Zaccheaus.

We fully expect the Falcons to look for an upgrade in the 2026 NFL Draft. Even without a first-round pick, Atlanta should be able to find a contributor at the wide receiver position.

SI draft analyst Justin Melo released a new two-round mock draft which projected the Falcons to take Alabama wide receiver Germie Bernard in Round 2.

Round 2, Pick No. 48: WR Germie Bernard, Alabama

“The Atlanta Falcons intend to build around quarterbacks Michael Penix Jr. and Tua Tagovailoa,” wrote Melo. “They’re currently top heavy at playmaker with Drake London, Bijan Robinson, and Kyle Pitts. They parted with Darnell Mooney, paving the way here for Germie Bernard to be an excellent complementary player. That’s the best role for Bernard, who runs with crisp routes with an incredibly nuanced skill set.”

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The Falcons have had success drafting Crimson Tide wide receivers in the past. Julio Jones and Calvin Ridley both lived up to the hype coming out of Alabama and developed into No. 1 receivers.

Germie Bernard is considered a Day 2 prospect with elite upside. Last season, he recorded 64 catches for 862 receiving yards and seven touchdowns on 13.5 yards per reception. The 6-foot-1, 205-pound wide receiver is currently ranked 49th overall on the 2026 Pro Football Focus big board.

The team currently holds pick No. 48th overall in Round 2, so Bernard could be a realistic target if he’s still on the board when Atlanta is on the clock.

This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: 2026 NFL mock draft: Falcons land Alabama WR Germie Bernard