The Atlanta Falcons haven’t made the playoffs in eight years, and most NFL analysts expect that streak to continue in 2026. A lack of salary cap space prevented the team from making any drastic moves in free agency, but that just means there will be more opportunities for the players currently on the roster.
This is especially good news for the Falcons’ undrafted free agent class. Several of the team’s UDFA signings, including wide receiver Vinny Anthony, quarterback Jack Strand and center James Brockermeyer, have a real shot at making the roster out of training camp.
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In a new feature from CBS Sports, NFL analyst Josh Edwards named Brockermeyer as one of his undrafted free agents to watch in 2026.
“The NFL Scouting Combine selection process snubbed Brockermeyer, and he should have been drafted,” wrote Edwards. “Atlanta gave him the fifth-highest practical guarantee ($230,000) among this year’s undrafted class. Ryan Neuzil has been a quality replacement at center post-Drew Dalman departure and Brockermeyer has not shown a lot of positional versatility to this point, so it may be difficult for him to carve a path onto the roster.”
Brockermeyer’s path may be difficult, but he’s already impressed Atlanta’s coaching staff at OTAs. The former Miami Hurricanes standout replaced Neuzil as the team’s starting center for a full day last week. Falcons offensive line coach Bill Callahan praised the rookie after practice.
“I’m really proud of the job he did today,” Callahan said of Brockermeyer. “He had to step up and step in and take over the controls. He did a great job. He was like the air traffic controller today, so he landed all the planes safely, which was great.”
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Neuzil is obviously a lock to start, but the veteran offensive lineman will be a free agent after the 2026 NFL season. For the record, we have Brockermeyer making the team in our first Falcons 53-man roster projection of the year.
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Atlanta Falcons 2026 NFL regular season schedule
Week 1: At Pittsburgh Steelers
(Charles LeClaire, Imagn Images)
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Atlanta Falcons 2026 NFL regular season schedule
Week 1: At Pittsburgh Steelers
(Charles LeClaire, Imagn Images)
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Atlanta Falcons 2026 NFL regular season schedule
Week 2: Carolina Panthers
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Atlanta Falcons 2026 NFL regular season schedule
Week 3: At Green Bay Packers (Thursday Night Football)
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Atlanta Falcons 2026 NFL regular season schedule
Week 4: At New Orleans Saints (Monday Night Football)
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Atlanta Falcons 2026 NFL regular season schedule
Week 5: Baltimore Ravens (Sunday Night Football)
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Atlanta Falcons 2026 NFL regular season schedule
Week 6: Chicago Bears
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Atlanta Falcons 2026 NFL regular season schedule
Week 7: San Francisco 49ers
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Atlanta Falcons 2026 NFL regular season schedule
Week 8: At Tampa Bay Buccaneers
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Atlanta Falcons 2026 NFL regular season schedule
Week 9: Cincinnati Bengals (Madrid)
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Atlanta Falcons 2026 NFL regular season schedule
Week 10: Kansas City Chiefs
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Atlanta Falcons 2026 NFL regular season schedule
Week 11: Falcons on bye week
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Atlanta Falcons 2026 NFL regular season schedule
Week 12: At Minnesota Vikings
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Atlanta Falcons 2026 NFL regular season schedule
Week 13: Detroit Lions
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Atlanta Falcons 2026 NFL regular season schedule
Week 14: At Cleveland Browns
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Atlanta Falcons 2026 NFL regular season schedule
Week 15: At Washington Commanders
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Atlanta Falcons 2026 NFL regular season schedule
Week 16: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
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Atlanta Falcons 2026 NFL regular season schedule
Week 17: New Orleans Saints
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Atlanta Falcons 2026 NFL regular season schedule
Week 18: At Carolina Panthers
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This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: Why Atlanta Falcons UDFA James Brockermeyer could make roster