Home Cooking in the A: Ian Cunningham’s First Draft Keeps it Local and Mean
Home Cooking in the A: Ian Cunningham’s First Draft Keeps it Local and Mean
The 2026 NFL Draft is officially in the books, and for the Atlanta Falcons, the theme was clear: if you can play and you’ve got Georgia clay on your cleats, you’re in. In his debut as GM, Ian Cunningham played the board like a veteran, turning five picks into six and stocking the roster with "A-Town" flavor and defensive hybrids.
This wasn't just about filling roster spots; it was about building a culture. Cunningham emphasized "dominant traits" and positional flexibility, and he found exactly that in his first-ever class.
The Bloodline Connection: Avieon Terrell (CB, Clemson - No. 48)
Forget "Keeping up with the Joneses"—the Falcons are keeping up with the Terrells. By snagging Avieon Terrell in the second round, Atlanta just created the coolest storyline in the league. Avieon joins his big brother, A.J. Terrell Jr., to lock down the secondary for the team they grew up cheering for at Westlake High.
Sanchez’s Take: This isn’t a charity pick. Avieon is an "easy-mover" with elite hip fluidity. While A.J. has one side locked down, Avieon is going to walk into camp and make Mike Hughes sweat for that CB2 spot. Having two brothers in the same secondary? That’s not just a feel-good story; it’s a communication advantage that most DCs would kill for.
The Local Juice: Zachariah Branch (WR, Georgia - No. 79)
Cunningham went back to the local well in the third round, grabbing Bulldogs playmaker Zachariah Branch. If you watched any UGA ball last year, you know the deal: 78% of his yards came after the catch. He’s a short-area nightmare who makes defenders look like they're playing in work boots.
The Fit: Branch is a true slot specialist (75% of his college snaps) who gives this receiver room a "flavor" it was desperately missing. Expect him to be a Day 1 factor in the return game while he carves out a role as Kirk Cousins' favorite underneath target.
The Hybrid Heist: Kendal Daniels (LB, Oklahoma - No. 134)
Cunningham showed his wheeling-and-dealing side in the fourth, trading back with the Raiders to turn pick 122 into 134 and 208. He used that 134 spot on Kendal Daniels, a guy who spent three years as a safety before becoming a hybrid linebacker/rusher for the Sooners.
With Kaden Elliss gone, that spot next to Divine Deablo is wide open. Daniels has played for four different DCs in college—he’s the ultimate "plug-and-play" chess piece for Jeff Ulbrich’s scheme.
The Trench Warrior: Anterio Thompson (DT, Washington - No. 208)
Drafted with the extra pick acquired in the trade-back, Thompson is a physical freak. He ran a 4.73 40-yard dash—at defensive tackle! That would have led the combine. He’s undersized for the interior, but his 80-inch wingspan and "quick burst" are tailor-made for an attack-style front. Plus, he blocked three punts in college. You don’t find that kind of special teams value in the sixth round every day.
The Sleeper Hit: Harold Perkins Jr. (LB, LSU - No. 215)
How did a guy with 17 career sacks and 4.45 speed (96th percentile!) fall to the sixth round? A 2024 injury pushed him down the board, and the Falcons pounced. Perkins is a "Star" linebacker who can play all over the field. He and Daniels are going to make this linebacker room the most athletic and versatile unit in the division.
The Big Body: Ethan Onianwa (OT, Ohio State - No. 231)
You can't teach 6-foot-6 and 333 pounds. Onianwa is a "project," but he’s an athletic one. He held his own at Rice before finishing at Ohio State, and under offensive line guru Bill Callahan, he has the frame to become a high-end developmental tackle.
Sanchez’s Take: Ian Cunningham’s first draft was a masterclass in identity building. He stayed local, prioritized speed and length, and added depth where it matters. The Falcons didn't just add players; they added "dawgs" with chips on their shoulders.
