The 2026 NFL Draft is just one day away, but the Atlanta Falcons have to wait until Day 2 to make their first pick under the new leadership group. President of football Matt Ryan, general manager Ian Cunningham and head coach Kevin Stefanski will take the clock in the middle of Round 2 (pick No. 48).
Many around the league expect the team to target a wide receiver since it’s one of the biggest remaining holes on the roster. The Falcons released Darnell Mooney and KhaDarel Hodge and replaced them with Jahan Dotson and Olamide Zaccheaus in free agency.
Even if Dotson and Zaccheaus play well, Atlanta still lacks depth at the position. Drake London is a budding superstar, but he missed some time due to injuries last season. Fortunately, the draft contains some impressive wide receiver talent, including a few local prospects.
In our pre-draft wide receiver preview, we break down the receivers currently on the roster, look at potential draft targets and examine a few free agent options for the Falcons in 2026.
Falcons WRs currently on roster (7)
- Drake London (5)
- Jahan Dotson (4)
- Olamide Zaccheaus (14)
- Chris Blair (19)
- Dylan Drummond (80)
- Casey Washington (82)
- Deven Thompkins (83)
London will play the 2026 season on his fifth-year option, unless the Falcons find a way to get a long-term deal done in the next few months. When healthy, the former top-10 pick is arguably a top-10 (possibly top-five) talent at the wide receiver position. As for London’s supporting case, there’s more questions than answers.
Jahan Dotson, another former first-round pick, has yet to really show what he can do. The Eagles have a dynamic offense that features two elite wide receivers and a dominant ground game. Dotson has just 1,519 career receiving yards after four NFL seasons, and has finished with less than 300 yards in each of the last two seasons.
Zaccheaus has been a reliable slot receiver and should thrive back in the city where his NFL career began. As you can see though, this group needs more talent and depth if this offense is going to be successful in 2026.
Let’s check out some potential Falcons draft targets at wide receiver.
Possible Falcons WR targets in draft
- Germie Bernard, Alabama
- Zachariah Branch, Georgia
- Ted Hurst, Georgia State
- Kevin Coleman Jr., Missouri
- Cyrus Allen, Cincinnati
- Josh Cameron, Baylor
The Falcons haven’t been shy about getting to know this year’s wide receiver class. The team has met with several WR prospects, including Georgia State’s Ted Hurst, Georgia’s Zachariah Branch, Alabama’s Germie Bernard and Cincinnati’s Cyrus Allen. Tennessee’s Chris Brazzell caps off an intriguing group of receivers who could go somewhere on Day 2.
Branch’s speedy skill set could make him an ideal pairing with London, while Hurst’s size and production are hard to ignore. Missouri wide receiver Kevin Coleman Jr. also met with the team and said he enjoyed talking ball with Matt Ryan.
There’s no shortage of options for Atlanta at wide receiver in the 2026 NFL Draft. Now, let’s see what free agents are available.
Remaining free agent WRs
- Deebo Samuel
- Stefon Diggs
- Tyreek Hill
- DeAndre Hopkins
This free-agent list, which includes former All-Pro wide receivers Tyreek Hill, DeAndre Hopkins and Stefon Diggs, is a reminder of how valuable youth is at the position. Five years ago, every one of these players was at the top of their game. There’s a reason why they are available, though.
Still, we wouldn’t be surprised if the Falcons add someone after the draft, especially if the team fails to address the position on Day 2.
The 2026 NFL Draft kicks off on Thursday, April 23 at 8 p.m. ET. The Falcons will make their first pick on Day 2, which contains Rounds 2-3 and begins Friday at 7 p.m. ET.
This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: Atlanta Falcons pre-draft wide receiver breakdown