The Falcons had no first-round pick in 2026. Their draft still produced the best story of the second round.

With the 48th selection, Atlanta took Clemson cornerback Avieon Terrell — whose older brother A.J. already plays for the team.

Avieon Terrell, CB — No. 48, Clemson

The player. Brothers on the same NFL roster is rare. Brothers at the same position, drafted by the team the older one already stars for, is close to unheard of.

Terrell arrives from Clemson, a program that also sent edge rusher T.J. Parker to Buffalo at No. 35 and receiver Antonio Williams to Washington at 71 in this draft.

The situation. Playing alongside a brother who has already established himself is either the ideal development environment or an impossible comparison. In practice it’s usually the first — an older sibling in the same position room is the most invested coach a rookie will ever have.

Playing time projection. Rotational corner from Week 1, with nickel snaps and a path to starting.

Zachariah Branch, WR — No. 79, Georgia

The third-round receiver, and a local pick in the most literal sense — Branch played his college ball an hour up the road.

Twelve receivers went in the second and third rounds, making it the draft’s deepest position group. Atlanta waited and took one from the state.

Playing time projection. Rotational receiver and return specialist, where the fastest path to snaps runs.

Kendal Daniels, LB — No. 134, Oklahoma

A fourth-round linebacker, and the first of two Atlanta took in this class.

Playing time projection. Special teams and rotational linebacker work.

Harold Perkins Jr., LB — No. 215, LSU

The name worth knowing. Perkins was one of the more talked-about defenders in college football before falling to the sixth round — the kind of slide that either reflects something teams saw or something they overthought.

Sixth-round picks with that pedigree are the highest-upside lottery tickets in any draft. Atlanta gave up almost nothing to find out.

Playing time projection. Camp battle, with genuine upside if he sticks.

Two more late picks

Anterio Thompson, DT (No. 208, Washington) and Ethan Onianwa, OT (No. 231, Ohio State) close out a six-player class.

Reading the class

No first-rounder, two linebackers, a corner, a receiver, and two late linemen. Atlanta drafted for the back seven and took its swing at Perkins in the sixth.

That’s a modest draft on paper. Terrell and Perkins are the two picks that could make it look better than modest in two years.

Around the NFC South

Jordyn Tyson, WR — New Orleans Saints (No. 8). An NFC South matter, and the division’s biggest offensive addition. New Orleans took Tyson eighth to give its offense another weapon, and Atlanta’s secondary — Terrell included — will see him twice a year.

Rueben Bain Jr., EDGE — Tampa Bay Buccaneers (No. 15). The Miami pass rusher was a projected top-10 pick who fell to 15. Bain was widely considered one of the best defenders in this class, and he lands in the division.

Monroe Freeling, OT — Carolina Panthers (No. 19). The third NFC South first-rounder, in a round dominated by offensive linemen — nine went in the first 32 picks. Every team in this division except Atlanta used a first-round pick, which is worth remembering when the standings sort themselves out.

What could make this class look better

The Terrell brothers on the field together. It’s the reason to tune in early, and it’s also a real football question: whether Avieon can hold up in coverage while A.J. handles the other side.

Perkins is the pick that could change how this draft is remembered. Sixth-rounders with first-round college reputations don’t come along often.

Atlanta Sports Wire covers Falcons news, schedules and game coverage all season. See the Falcons schedule for kickoff times and broadcast info.