C+
Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons landed square in the muddy middle: C+.
by PATRICK305 ·
2026 NFL Draft
· 7 picks
· 3 steals
· 3 reaches
There was a run on nobody at that position, and the Falcons started one anyway for Jason Henderson, 268 picks ahead of schedule.
The Branch pick is the one they will point to when this weekend is judged. They will regret leaving quarterback for another day if the season turns on it. They gave back a little on the phones for the right to move.
If Kayden McDonald and a couple of the gambles land, hindsight will be kinder than this grade.
Pick-by-Pick
They will replay Kayden McDonald at slot 48 for years; that is how good the value is. That was the need underlined and circled, and now it is checked off.
Trey Moore at the 79th pick is a steep price for a hunch, hard to square with any board. It fills a real need, too.
This one needs a full-page explanation: Jason Henderson in No. 114, miles early. One more legitimate question on the roster, answered.
Will Lee III in pick No. 197 is a gift, value that borders on unfair. A minor need, but a need all the same.
By-the-book stuff, Lander Barton at the Round 6 slot squarely in line with his ranking. A real hole, addressed with a reasonable pick.
A real head-scratcher, Micah Morris in Round 6, Pick 35 is miles ahead of his ranking. A glaring weakness, addressed head on.
Zachariah Branch at the Round 7 slot is a first-round grade at a bargain-bin price, no notes. They walked in needing this and walked out with it.