{"id":822626,"date":"2026-03-20T06:22:13","date_gmt":"2026-03-20T06:22:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/822626\/"},"modified":"2026-03-20T06:22:13","modified_gmt":"2026-03-20T06:22:13","slug":"gracen-halton-interviewed-at-nfl-combine","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/822626\/","title":{"rendered":"Gracen Halton interviewed at NFL combine"},"content":{"rendered":"

Updated March 19, 2026, 3:53 p.m. ET<\/p>\n

The Atlanta Falcons<\/a> used the first wave of NFL free agency to address depth at multiple positions, including defensive tackle, edge and wide receiver. The next offseason task for first-year general manager Ian Cunningham is the 2026 NFL Draft.<\/p>\n

Since the Falcons don’t have a first-round pick this year, they will have to maximize their five selections on Days 2-3 of the draft. Atlanta has already been linked to several prospects, including Texas cornerback Malik Muhammad and Mississippi State wide receiver Brenen Thompson.<\/p>\n

Add Oklahoma defensive lineman Gracen Halton to that list. In an interview with SI’s Justin Melo<\/a>, Halton listed the Falcons among the teams that he formally met with at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine.<\/p>\n

“I had formal interviews at the NFL Combine with the Atlanta Falcons and Indianapolis Colts,” Halton told SI’s Justin Melo<\/a>. “I had an in-person visit with the Buffalo Bills as well. I had a follow-up Zoom with the Bills as well. I\u2019m also meeting virtually with the Las Vegas Raiders and Washington Commanders.”<\/p>\n

The Falcons need some help on the interior of their defensive line after letting David Onyemata walk in free agency. The team did add Da’Shawn Hand, but it never hurts to invest in a long-term upgrade in the trenches.<\/p>\n

Expert NFL picks: Exclusive betting insights only at USA TODAY.<\/a><\/p>\n

Halton is a 6-foot-2, 292-pound defensive tackle who’s coming off of a dominant season for the Sooners<\/a>. In 13 games, he racked up five sacks, 22 hurries and a Pro Football Focus run defense grade of 86.9.<\/p>\n

While Halton spent some time at nose tackle (over 60 snaps each of the last two seasons), he has primarily played as a 3-tech in college. PFF lists Halton as the 70th overall prospect on its 2026 big board<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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