March 23, 2026, 6:00 p.m. ET

Last year, the Atlanta Falcons made the bold decision to trade away their 2026 first-round pick to move up for edge rusher James Pearce Jr. While the trade initially worked out well, Atlanta still missed the playoffs and Pearce’s recent legal troubles have opened up a whole different can of worms.

Falcons general manager Ian Cunningham was hired to clean up the mess that Terry Fontenot created, and he’s done a decent job thus far. Despite having just five total draft picks, Cunningham managed to acquire Philadelphia Eagles safety Sydney Brown for a mid-round pick swap.

Overall, Atlanta has done a decent job of adding depth, but without a first-round selection in the 2026 NFL Draft, the team has limited resources to make a splash this offseason. So, how could the Falcons acquire more assets?

Pro Football Focus released a new feature highlighting each team’s most valuable trade asset ahead of next month’s draft. PFF listed cornerback A.J. Terrell as Atlanta’s top trade asset for 2026.

PFF says A.J. Terrell is Falcons’ most valuable trade asset

“Terrell, a former first-round pick, remains a highly valuable asset despite a down 2025 season in which he posted a 57.7 PFF overall grade,” wrote PFF’s John Kosko. “He has a proven track record of strong coverage and reliable run defense, and at 27 years old, he still offers multiple years of team control.”

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The Falcons know just how good Terrell has been, even if those around the NFL have been slow to appreciate his contributions. PFF acknowledges Terrell’s mediocre grades don’t totally reflect how talented the former Clemson standout is.

“Public perception may outpace his career grading profile, but his talent as a dependable boundary corner remains clear,” Kosko added. “That combination of experience, versatility and positional value makes him an attractive option for teams in need of secondary help. Trading Terrell could net the Falcons significant draft capital or a high-end player to address offensive needs or bolster roster depth. In a league that consistently prioritizes quality cornerback play, he profiles as a premium asset.”

While the Falcons could likely get a nice return for Terrell, trading him would create a need for a No. 1 cornerback, and those are never easy to find. Terrell isn’t Deion Sanders in terms of flashiness, but sometimes the best cornerbacks are the one you rarely notice.

For now, Terrell is set to return to one of the NFL’s best up-and-coming secondaries. Atlanta added veteran nickel defensive back Darnay Holmes along with trading for Brown.

Use our Falcons free agency live tracker to follow along with each signing and departure!