Falcons Take Edge Rusher, Tight End in PFF's 2026 Mock Draft

Atlanta Falcons GM Ian Cunningham faces tough decisions in upcoming draft without a first-round pick.

Feb. 23, 2026 at 12:47am

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In a new three-round 2026 NFL mock draft from Pro Football Focus, the Atlanta Falcons are projected to select edge rusher R Mason Thomas from Oklahoma in the second round and tight end Michael Trigg from Baylor in the third round. The Falcons traded their 2026 first-round pick to the Los Angeles Rams in 2025 to move up and draft edge rusher James Pearce Jr., whose future is uncertain after a recent arrest.

Why it matters

The Falcons have several key roster decisions to make this offseason, including the future of star tight end Kyle Pitts, who is a candidate for the franchise tag. Drafting a potential Pitts replacement in Trigg and finding a new edge rusher to pair with Pearce Jr. are critical needs for the Falcons as they look to bounce back from a disappointing 2025 season.

The details

In the second round, the Falcons are projected to select Oklahoma edge rusher R Mason Thomas, who recorded 6.5 sacks and two forced fumbles last season. Thomas earned a 90.4 PFF pass-rushing grade and 28 pressures. In the third round, the Falcons are projected to take Baylor tight end Michael Trigg, who had career highs in receptions (50), receiving yards (694) and touchdowns (6) in 2025. Trigg is ranked as the 76th overall prospect on PFF's big board.

  • The 2026 NFL Draft will take place in late April 2026.
  • The deadline for NFL teams to use the franchise tag is March 3, 2026.

The players

Ian Cunningham

First-year general manager of the Atlanta Falcons.

James Pearce Jr.

Edge rusher for the Atlanta Falcons who was recently arrested, casting uncertainty over his future with the team.

R Mason Thomas

Edge rusher from the University of Oklahoma projected to be drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft.

Michael Trigg

Tight end from Baylor University projected to be drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft.

Kyle Pitts

Star tight end for the Atlanta Falcons who is a candidate for the franchise tag in 2026.

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What’s next

The Falcons will need to decide whether to sign Kyle Pitts to a long-term deal or use the franchise tag on him by the March 3 deadline.

The takeaway

The Falcons face a critical offseason as they look to rebuild their roster and find replacements for key players like James Pearce Jr. and potentially Kyle Pitts. Drafting an edge rusher and tight end in the early rounds could help address those needs, but the team will need to make some tough decisions in the coming weeks.