By D. Orlando Ledbetter
The Falcons, under a new administration, currently have five picks in the upcoming draft. The former regime traded their first-round pick last year in the James Pearce Jr. deal.
General manager Ian Cunningham is leading his first draft for the franchise with Matt Ryan in the role of president of football. Kevin Stefanski was hired to replace Raheem Morris as the head coach. The draft will be held April 23-25 in Pittsburgh.
Unless the Falcons trade back into the first round, they’ll have to wait until their 48th overall pick in the second round, where we are projecting they will take Oklahoma edge rusher R. Mason Thomas.
There is little drama at the top of the first round, with the Raiders expected to draft former Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the first overall pick. He will be mentored by former Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins.
“I’m all about learning,” Mendoza said. “So, from Day 1, I’ve got to learn a lot. It’s a long journey.” Mendoza had a formal interview with the Raiders at the scouting combine and had a strong showing at his Pro Day.
Here’s a look at the post free agency mock:
1. Raiders: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana (6-foot-5, 236 pounds): After starting his career at Cal and finishing strong with the Hoosiers, he’s battle-tested and ready for the NFL. “I played a lot of college football,” Mendoza said. “Started three seasons, which has been a great experience. My first two years, out of the 18 games I played (actually 19) — don’t quote me on that — a lot of them were one-score games. Had a lot of tough defeats.” Mendoza, who won the Heisman Trophy and guided the Hoosiers to the school’s first football national championship, completed 691 of 1,008 passes (68.6%) for 8,247 yards, 71 touchdowns and 22 interceptions over his collegiate career.
2. Jets: David Bailey, OLB, Texas Tech (6-4, 251): He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.51 seconds at the combine. He had 14½ sacks last season for the Red Raiders.
3. Cardinals: Arvell Reese, OLB, Ohio State (6-4, 241): The Cardinals signed former Falcons running back Tyler Allgeier to a two-year, $12.5 million deal and can focus on their defense in the draft. Reese was part of the fastest linebacker group in the history of the combine after running the 40-yard dash in 4.46 seconds. He had 69 tackles, 10 tackles for loss and 6½ sacks last season for the Buckeyes.
4. Titans: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame (6-0, 212): He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.36 seconds at the scouting combine. In 43 games with the Fighting Irish, he rushed 433 times for 2,882 yards (6.7 yards per carry) and scored 36 touchdowns. He finished third in voting for the Heisman Trophy.
5. Giants: Rueben Bain Jr., OLB, Miami (6-3, 275): Bain’s arms were measured at 30⅞ inches at the scouting combine. His play spoke volumes at Miami. He finished with 121 tackles, 33½ tackles for losses and 20½ sacks over three seasons. He was an All-America selection last season.
6. Browns: Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami (6-5 ½, 329): He started all 42 games of his college career at right tackle. He helped the Hurricanes reach the national championship game last season.
7. Commanders: Caleb Downs, CB, Ohio State (6-0, 205, Mill Creek High): He is the sixth two-time, unanimous All-America selection at Ohio State. He’s the son of Gary and Tanya Downs. His father played running back in the NFL for the Giants (1994, ’96), Broncos (’95) and Falcons (1997-98, 2000), and his brother, Josh Downs (North Gwinnett High and North Carolina), plays for the Colts.
8. Saints: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State (6-5, 244): He started his career as a safety at Ohio State before switching to linebacker. He could be a piece for the Saints to build their defense around.
9. Chiefs: Spencer Fano, OT, Utah (6-5, 304): He was a three-year starter and played both tackle spots. Consensus first-team All-America and the Outland Trophy winner. The Chiefs must upgrade along both lines.
10. Bengals: Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State (6-1, 191): He ran a slow time — 4.53 seconds in the 40-yard dash — at the combine, but some teams had faster times on him. His 1.61 over the first 10 yards is plenty fast enough to get open.
11. Dolphins: Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State (6-1, 195): He was coached by former Georgia and Steelers standout Hines Ward. He caught 158 passes for 2,282 yards (14.4 per catch) and 22 touchdowns over his career.
12. Cowboys: Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU (6-0, 187): Excels in press coverage. The Cowboys need to improve the back end of their defense.
13. L.A. Rams (Atlanta): Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon (6-3, 241): He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.39 seconds. NFL draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah compared Sadiq to former NFL tight end Vernon Davis.
14. Ravens: Olaivavega Ioane, G, Penn State (6-4, 320): The Ravens have to plug a hole at the guard spot. Ioane can plug-and-play at either guard spot.
15. Bucs: Makai Lemon, WR, USC (5-11, 192): He tried to model his game after Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown.
16. Jets: Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee (6-1, 188): He had 75 tackles, 16 pass breakups and six interceptions during his career.
17. Lions: Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia, (6-6, 315): Freeling had the longest wingspan (84½ inches), but started only 16 games in college.
18. Vikings: Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon (6-0, 201): The Vikings need a replacement for longtime safety Harrison Smith.
19. Panthers: Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama (6-7, 352): Great size, length and agility. He was the Jacobs Blocking Trophy winner. He earned the starting left tackle spot as a freshman in 2023.
20. Cowboys: Keldric Faulk, OLB, Auburn (6-5, 288): He is massive and would fit nicely along the Cowboys front. He made 32 consecutive starts.
21. Steelers: Peter Woods, DL, Clemson (6-3, 315): He was a 2025 All-American with 99 tackles, 14½ tackles for loss, five sacks over 35 games.
22. Chargers: Blake Miller, OT, Clemson (6-7, 317): He broke the school record for career snaps from scrimmage with 3,778 offensive snaps.
23. Eagles: Colton Hood, DB, Tennessee (6-0, 190, Eagle’s Landing Christian): He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.44 seconds at the scouting combine.
24. Browns: Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo (6-3 ½, 201): The latest NFL-ready defensive back to come out of the Mid-American Conference.
25. Bears: Caleb Banks, DT, Florida (6-6, 327): He is massive. He played in 34 games and had 48 tackles, 10½ tackles for loss and 6½ sacks.
26. Bills: Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson (5-11, 186): Younger brother of Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell. He made 128 tackles, 30 pass breakups, three interceptions and four sacks over 39 games.
27. 49ers: KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M (6-0, 196): An exquisite route-runner with sticky hands.
28. Texans: Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State (6-2, 326): McDonald is tough and sturdy in the trenches.
29. Chiefs (from the Rams): Max Iheanachor, OT, Arizona State (6-6, 321): He started all 14 games at right tackle last season.
30. Dolphins (from Broncos): Denzel Boston, WR, Washington (6-4, 212): A dynamic pass-catcher and returner. He led the Huskies with 62 catches for 881 yards and 11 receiving touchdowns.
31. Patriots: C.J. Allen, OLB, Georgia, (6-1, 235): This is assuming he performs well at Georgia’s pro day after skipping the drills at the scouting combine.
32. Seahawks: T.J. Parker, OLB, Clemson (6-4, 263): He made 144 tackles, 41½ for losses, 21½ sacks over 39 career games.
WHAT WILL THE FALCONS DO WITH THE 48TH OVERALL PICK?
If the Falcons stand pat with the 48th overall pick, they’ll have a chance to address one of their key need areas: wide receiver, defensive tackle and cornerback.
Defensive tackles Caleb Banks of Florida, Lee Hunter of Texas Tech and Christen Miller from Georgia could be available.
Wide receivers Germie Bernard of Alabama and Antonio Williams of Clemson could also help. Oklahoma edge rusher R. Mason Thomas is our pick for the Falcons.
SECOND ROUND
48. Falcons: R. Mason Thomas, Edge, Oklahoma (6-2, 249): Well, the Falcons are in a bind with James Pearce Jr.’s legal situation. Thomas, a two-year starter, had 17 sacks, 148 tackles for loss and forced four fumbles for the Sooners.
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D. Orlando Ledbetter, Esq. is the owner and editor of Bow Tie Sports Media, LLC. He’ll provide analysis and insight on the Falcons and the NFL that simply can’t be found elsewhere.
VIDEO: Fernando Mendoza Press Conference at 2026 NFL Combine. The presumptive No. 1 overall pick. https://youtu.be/
PHOTOS – Fernando Mendoza and Combine fun (By D. Orlando Ledbetter)