Atlanta Falcons

Divine Deablo

LB

Deablo has inherited the green dot from departed linebacker Kaden Elliss. Those communication duties not only keep him central to Atlanta's defense, but also create a path to steadier snaps and tackle opportunities. The 27-year-old impressed while healthy in his inaugural campaign with the Falcons last year, totaling 73 tackles (38 solo), including 1.0 sacks, plus seven passes defensed and one fumble recovery across 13 regular-season games. With his expanded role, Deablo's value in IDP formats figures to grow in 2026.

Jahan Dotson

WR

Dotson had some solid stretches early in his career with Washington, but his production dropped dramatically after he was traded to the Eagles ahead of the 2024 season. Of course, Philadelphia had the stud wideout duo of A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith hogging most of Jalen Hurts' targets and consequently impeding Dotson's opportunities. Things are a bit different for the Penn State product after he signed with Atlanta in early March -- though London (undisclosed) is the team's clear alpha at wideout, the No. 2 slot in the WR pecking order is probably going to come down to whoever wins the competition between Dotson, Olamide Zaccheaus and third-round rookie Zachariah Branch. With that said, the Falcons will also feature TE Kyle Pitts and RB Bijan Robinson as key components of their air game, so even if Dotson emerges with a starting role, he figures to be behind multiple players in terms of distribution of targets.

Zach Harrison

DE

Harrison was well on his way to a career year in 2025, as he recorded a career-high 4.5 sacks through the first seven games, but he suffered a knee injury in Week 7 against the 49ers and missed the remainder of the 2025 campaign. Now healthy, the Falcons are relying on Harrison to help key the pass rush alongside second-year edge defenders Jalon Walker and James Pearce.

Kyle Pitts Sr.

TE

Atlanta extended Pitts a franchise tender earlier this offseason, but both sides have agreed to terms on a multi-year deal that includes $36 million fully guaranteed. Per Schefter, Pitts' annual average salary makes him the third-highest paid tight end in the league behind George Kittle (Achilles) and Trey McBride. The Falcons also signed Drake London (undisclosed) to a massive four-year contract in early June, while Bijan Robinson remains a candidate for a new deal after the team exercised the fifth-year option on his rookie deal. Pitts produced an 88-928-5 line (118 targets) in 17 regular-season games last year and will look to build chemistry with quarterbacks Michael Penix (ACL) and Tua Tagovailoa this offseason.

Juice Wells Jr.

WR

Wells is in his second year out of Ole Miss but has yet to appear in a regular-season contest after spending last summer with the Giants followed by two weeks on the team's practice squad during October.

Clark Phillips III

CB

The fourth-year corner from Utah missed Atlanta's final 13 games in 2025 due to a triceps issue, but it now appears he's moved past the injury. Phillips was one of the Falcons' top corners in 2024, recording 35 total tackles, five passes defensed, including one interception, and two forced fumbles across 16 regular-season appearances. Now fully healthy, he's expected to compete for a reserve role in the secondary as the offseason progresses.

Bralen Trice

LB

Trice, a 2024 third-round pick from Washington, has yet to make his NFL debut due to a knee injury sustained during the 2024 preseason. However, he was spotted participating in the full 11-on-11 periods of practice, suggesting he's now moved past the issue. Expect Trice to compete for a reserve role in Atlanta's edge-rush corps ahead of the 2026 season.

Devonnsha Maxwell

DT

Maxwell is coming off a productive season with the DC Defenders of the UFL in 2026, posting 23 total tackles, including 4.0 sacks, across 10 regular-season games. Now in Atlanta, he's expected to compete for a reserve interior defensive lineman role.

Trevor Siemian

QB

It appears Siemian avoided a serious injury, as the Northwestern product is now expected to return for training camp. The 34-year-old's last in-game action came with the Jets in 2023, when he appeared in five contests and threw for 724 yards, two touchdowns and four interceptions. Once fully healthy, he's expected to compete for a role that could lead to him being Atlanta's emergency third quarterback most gamedays.

Xavier Watts

S

Stefanski declined to get into the specifics of Watts' injury, but he indicated that the team is simply being cautious with his health. The 2025 third-round pick emerged as a standout at safety as a rookie, suiting up for all 17 regular-season games and totaling 96 tackles (59 solo) and 11 passes defensed, including five interceptions. There are no indications that Watts' status for the start of training camp in July is of any concern.

Azeez Ojulari

LB

Drake London

WR

Stefanski noted that London could have practiced if necessary, but that Atlanta is opting for caution after signing the star wideout to a four-year, $141 million extension earlier this month. The 2022 first-round pick remains the clear No. 1 target for a quarterback room that features a competition between Michael Penix (ACL) and Tua Tagovailoa for the starting role, so the team's priority is having London fully healthy for training camp in July. London dealt with a PCL sprain last season, but Stefanski called his current injury a "small" issue.

Michael Penix Jr.

QB

Penix did not participate in full-team drills at mandatory minicamp, though he reportedly showed no signs of discomfort while taking 7-on-7 and individual reps as well as footwork drills with quarterbacks coach Alex Van Pelt. The 26-year-old signal-caller spoke positively about his recovery progress, saying "each and every day that I come out here, I feel better than the day before." Head coach Kevin Stefanski said Penix is "exactly where he needs to be." Once Penix is fully cleared, he will face a competition with Tua Tagovailoa for the Week 1 starting job.

Jawaan Taylor

OT

Taylor was sidelined for Kansas City's last five games of 2025 due to triceps and elbow injuries, and he's still not fully ready for football activities after signing with the Falcons in April. Until he's back in action, former Kansas City teammate Wanya Morris projects as a candidate to work at right tackle with the first team.

James Pearce Jr.

LB

The report notes that Pearce has entered a diversion program to resolve to his legal matter stemming from a Feb. 7 incident which included being charged with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon. NFL spokesperson Brian McCarthy indicated to ESPN on Monday that Pearce's situation "remains under review of the (league's) personal conduct policy." As a rookie last year, Pearce -- who is expected to take the field during this week's minicamp -- recorded 26 tackles, including 10.5 sacks, in 17 regular-season games.

Storm Norton

OT

The offensive tackle missed the 2025 campaign due to a foot injury and appears to still be dealing with it. Norton returned from surgery last October and practiced for three weeks, but he was never activated from injured reserve. Atlanta has an opening at tackle after the retirement of Kaleb McGary, though former Chief Jawaan Taylor is expected to fill it.

Wanya Morris

OT

The 2023 third-round pick started 16 regular-season games across three seasons with Kansas City, but he found himself on the outside looking in at KC's starting lineup for 2026. Jake Matthews and Jawaan Taylor project as Atlanta's starting tackles for the upcoming season, but Morris gives the team's line some needed depth and experience in the wake of Kaleb McGary's retirement, per Marc Raimondi and Nate Taylor of ESPN.

Zachariah Branch

WR

New Falcons QB Tua Tagovailoa said Thursday that Branch "kind of reminds me of [Jaylen] Waddle." High praise, though the Falcons would settle for less after taking Branch in the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft, 79th overall. He joins a WR room where nothing is certain beyond Drake London, leaving Branch to compete for playing time with Jahan Dotson, Olamide Zaccheaus and others. Branch ran a 4.35-second 40-yard dash at the 2026 Scouting Combine, but he's on the small side (5-foot-9, 177 pounds) even for a slot receiver. If nothing else, the Falcons figure to use Branch as a gadget player and return specialist. ESPN.com's Mark Schlabach reports that Georgia prosecutors recently dropped misdemeanor charges against Branch, who was arrested April 19 after failing "to comply with multiple verbal lawful commands" to not block a sidewalk outside of a crowded bar. It doesn't sound like anything that would warrant NFL discipline.

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.

Malik Verdon

LB

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.

Cash Jones

RB

Jones is officially listed as a running back, but the undrafted rookie out of Georgia has been frequently working with the wide receivers during the offseason program. Head coach Kevin Stefanski has lauded Jones for his versatility and intelligence, and the team is cooking up ways to use him on special teams. The latter part is key, as Jones will need to excel on offense and special teams to carve out a role in the regular season.

Billy Bowman Jr.

CB

Bowman is close to being at full health after suffering a torn Achilles last November. The 23-year-old isn't yet healthy enough to be a full participant in practice, however.

Keelan Marion

WR

Marion finished his collegiate career with Miami-Fla. in 2025, securing 57 of 77 targets for 746 yards and two touchdowns over 16 contests while also adding 293 yards on 12 kickoff returns. The wide receiver will likely have to impress as a special-teams option in order to crack Atlanta's 53-man roster in 2026.

Jack Velling

TE

Velling wrapped his collegiate career with Michigan State in 2025, reeling in 36 of 45 targets for 359 yards and three touchdowns. The tight end possesses a 6-foot-5, 245-pound frame, and he'll look to compete with Charlie Woerner, Joshua Simon and Brandon Frazier for a reserve role on Atlanta's 53-man roster in 2026.