Atlanta Falcons

Kendal Daniels

LB

Daniels, a 2026 fourth-round pick from Oklahoma, appeared to have picked up a lower-leg injury during Atlanta's OTAs. However, it appears he's already moved past the issue. During his final collegiate season, the 23-year-old posted 53 total tackles, including nine tackles for loss, and three passes defensed over 13 contests. Expect Daniels to play a depth role in the Falcons' linebacker corps during his rookie campaign.

Michael Penix Jr.

QB

Penix took part in non-contact 7-on-7 drills and individual work during OTAs in mid-May, but he's not yet ready to ramp up his participation level to 11-on-11 activities. In the meantime, the full allotment of such reps will go the way of Tua Tagovailoa. Once Penix is fully recovered from the surgery he underwent in mid-November of the 2025 season to repair a partially torn left ACL, however, he and Tagovailoa will be slated to compete for No. 1 reps. Stefanski declined to offer a specific assessment of Penix's rehab progress to date, per Raimondi, though he said the 2024 first-round pick is doing "outstanding" and is "exactly where he needs to be" despite not yet being "100 percent."

Malik Verdon

S

Verdon signed with the Falcons as an undrafted free agent last May but didn't see any time during his rookie campaign. He began the season on the reserve/non-football injury list, and though he was designated to return in mid-November, Verdon ultimately wasn't activated. Verdon now appears to be back to health and will have a chance during the preseason to compete for a depth spot in the Falcons' secondary.

Brandon Dorlus

DT

Dorlus hurt his hamstring in Week 17 of last season and missed Atlanta's Week 18 matchup versus New Orleans. He was a key contributor for the team's defense prior to getting hurt, starting nine of the 15 games in which he played and tallying 27 tackles, including 8.5 sacks. Dorlus appears to be fully healthy again and is slated to have a big role for the Falcons again in 2026.

Drake London

WR

Per Adam Schefter of ESPN, London's new deal is a four-year $141 million pact worth up to $150 million that includes $100 million guaranteed. The 2022 first-rounder, who is coming off a 2025 campaign during which he recorded a 68-919-7 receiving line across 12 contests, is thus under contract with the Falcons through the 2030 campaign. Looking ahead, the 24-year-old will continue to see plenty of volume in a pass-catching corps that also includes fellow WRs Jahan Dotson, Olamide Zaccheaus and Zachariah Branch, as well as TE Kyle Pitts. However, at this stage it remains to seen who ends up throwing them the ball come Week 1, with Michael Penix and Tua Tagovailoa slated to compete for Atlanta's top QB job.