The 2026 NFL Draft starts on Thursday, and the Atlanta Falcons are without a first round pick. It still doesn’t hurt to take a look at the draft before the Falcons pick so that there’s knowledge of who could be there in the second, assuming they don’t seriously consider trading down early on Day 2.
Atlanta traded away their 2026 first round pick back in the 2025 draft to select James Pearce Jr. and also pick up a third-round pick that later became part of the Xavier Watts trade up. Atlanta does have some needs to address, but they should be focused on best player available at their first pick.
However, their first pick won’t come until pick 48, and we really have no idea how the board will look at the point. The draft always comes with chaos, and we have seen first-round talents fall to the middle of Day 2 before. But the best way to catch a glimpse of what to do at 48 is a first-round mock draft.
So let’s break this down:
How the 2026 NFL Draft’s first round could affect the Falcons’ approach at 481. Las Vegas Raiders: QB Fernando Mendoza, Indiana2. New York Jets: EDGE/LB Arvell Reese, Ohio State3. Arizona Cardinals: OT Francis Mauigoa, Miami4. Tennessee Titans: RB Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame5. New York Giants: LB Sonny Styles, Ohio State6. Cleveland Browns: EDGE David Bailey, Texas Tech7. Washington Commanders: S Caleb Downs, Ohio State8. New Orleans Saints: WR Carnell Tate, Ohio State9. Kansas City Chiefs: EDGE Rueben Bain, Miami (FL)10. New York Giants: CB Mansoor Delane, LSU11. Miami Dolphins: OT Monroe Freeling, Georgia12. Dallas Cowboys: CB Jermod McCoy, Tennessee13. Los Angeles Rams: OT Spencer Fano, Utah14. Baltimore Ravens: OG Olaivavega Ioane, Penn State15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: TE Kenyon Sadiq, Oregon16. New York Jets: WR Jordan Tyson, Arizona State17. Detroit Lions: OL Kadyn Proctor, Alabama18. Minnesota Vikings: S Dillon Thieneman, Oregon19. Carolina Panthers: OL Emmanuel Pregnon, Oregon20. Dallas Cowboys: EDGE Keldric Faulk, Auburn21. Pittsburgh Steelers: QB Ty Simpson, Alabama22. Los Angeles Chargers: DL Kayden McDonald, Ohio State23. Philadelphia Eagles: S Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, Toledo24. Cleveland Browns: WR Makai Lemon, USC25. Chicago Bears: OT Blake Miller, Clemson26. Buffalo Bills: EDGE T.J. Parker, Clemson27. San Francisco 49ers: WR K.C. Concepcion, Texas A&M28. Houston Texans: OT Caleb Lomu, Utah29. Kansas City Chiefs: CB Colton Hood, Tennessee30. Miami Dolphins: WR Denzel Boston, Washington31. New England Patriots: DL Peter Woods, Clemson32. Seattle Seahawks: OG Keylan Rutledge, Georgia Tech
Now to the real reason we’re all here. Who are all the signs pointing to for the Atlanta Falcons first pick in the Matt Ryan, Ian Cunningham and Kevin Stefanski era?
After reading the tea leaves, it looks like the Falcons will be between two different positions based on the best available players. Based on how the team decides to rank these players will adjust who they end up selecting. But in the end, the best prospect for the Falcons to select at 48 will be:
Oct 18, 2025; Athens, Georgia, USA; Georgia Bulldogs defensive lineman Christen Miller (52) is interviewed after the game against the Mississippi Rebels at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images | Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
48. Atlanta Falcons: DL Christen Miller, Georgia
After the Falcons traded away Ruke Orhorhoro for Maason Smith, it suggested that they have a guy they really like in the second round that they might have ranked a bit higher than others. Smith fits more as a true 1-technique in the defense eating up double teams where Miller would fit better as a 3-technique and nickel-down nose tackle in the scheme.
Miller was decidedly better as a pass rusher than a run stuffer, but he does well enough with both and has the kind of frame the Falcons will want in the middle of their defense.
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