Last offseason, the Atlanta Falcons traded up into the first round of the 2025 NFL draft to select edge rusher James Pearce Jr. with the 26th overall pick. Pearce currently leads all rookies with eight sacks and has recorded at least one in each of his last six games.

The former Tennessee edge rusher is arguably the favorite for the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year award. While the Falcons likely have zero regrets about moving up for Pearce, that trade left them without a first-round pick in the upcoming 2026 NFL draft.

This means Atlanta will have to watch from the sidelines during mock draft season. Fortunately, some analysts have already started putting out multi-round projections of the 2026 NFL draft.

PFSN analyst Alec Elijah released a new three-round mock, including two projected Falcons picks. Elijah’s mock has the Falcons taking Texas A&M wide receiver KC Concepcion in the second round at pick No. 41 overall:

Outside of Drake London, there is no consistent pass catcher in the receiver room, which calls for a new addition in the form of Texas A&M’s KC Concepcion. The Aggies’ wideout is a huge yards after catch threat, and consistently found the end zone at both A&M and NC State. — Alec Elijah, PFSN

Concepcion has recorded 57 catches for 886 receiving yards and nine touchdowns this season. His 15.5 yards per reception average could help create more space for London and Darnell Mooney in 2026.

The Falcons had one more selection in the third round of PFSN’s mock draft, taking Arizona State cornerback Keith Abney II with the 73rd overall pick. Abney isn’t the biggest cornerback, but he’s had no trouble locking down wide receivers of all sizes.

While he plays primarily on the outside, Abney has good scheme versatility and excels in both man and zone coverage. Atlanta could use another starting-caliber cornerback, and with Billy Bowman Jr. holding down the nickel spot, someone like Abney would make a ton of sense in Round 2.

The Falcons have done an excellent job of developing their young defensive backs this season. Third-round pick Xavier Watts leads all rookies with three interceptions. Bowman was playing well before tearing his Achilles two weeks ago.

Veteran Mike Hughes could miss time after injuring his ankle in the Falcons’ 29-28 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Thursday night. Undrafted free agent Cobee Bryant took over for Hughes in Week 15 and mostly held his own. Nonetheless, you can never have too many quality defensive backs.