The Atlanta Falcons have plenty to figure out before the 2026 NFL season arrives in September. The team has a handful of new starters on both sides of the football. The Falcons added six players in the 2026 NFL Draft, including cornerback Avieon Terrell and wide receiver Zachariah Branch.
Plus, the team signed a quarterback, two wide receivers and a new starting right tackle in free agency. Former first-round pick Kaleb McGary surprisingly retired, but the Falcons quickly signed former Kansas City Chiefs offensive tackle Jawaan Taylor as a replacement.
The Falcons wrapped up their first week of OTAs, but their work has only just begun. Here’s our projected Week 1 starting lineup on offense, including Pro Football Focus grades for each player.
Falcons starting offense with PFF grades
- QB Michael Penix Jr.: 59.3
- RB Bijan Robinson: 86.6
- WR Drake London: 88.0
- WR Jahan Dotson: 54.1
- WR Zachariah Branch: 82.0
- TE Kyle Pitts: 73.6
- LT Jake Matthews: 69.7
- LG Matthew Bergeron: 70.8
- C Ryan Neuzil: 77.4
- RG Chris Lindstrom: 88.4
- RT Jawaan Taylor: 53.3
I think Branch will be the team’s long-term No. 2 receiver, but as you can see, I have the rookie starting out in the slot this season. That’s partly due to the team signing former first-round pick Jahan Dotson to a two-year, $15 million contract, featuring $10 million guaranteed.
This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: Atlanta Falcons projected starting lineup on offense in 2026