The Atlanta Falcons are making moves off the field that could be just as impactful as anything they do on Sundays. While much of the spotlight this offseason has been on the team’s new-look coaching staff, GM Ian Cunningham is quietly building a front office that looks ready to compete with the league’s best.
And one of his most important decisions so far? Making sure key voices in the building don’t walk out the door.
That starts with Tokunbo "Tumbo" Abanikanda, who’s been promoted from director of college scouting to director of scouting-a move that’s as much about recognition as it is about retention. Abanikanda has been with the Falcons since 2012, rising through the ranks over nearly a decade and a half. This promotion isn’t just a title change-it’s a clear signal that Cunningham values what Abanikanda brings to the table and wants him at the heart of the team’s personnel decisions moving forward.
And why wouldn’t he? The Falcons are coming off what many around the league consider their most successful draft in years.
Four of their five picks not only made the roster but started on defense and made real contributions. That’s an 80% hit rate-an almost unheard-of success in today’s NFL, where draft picks are often more gamble than guarantee.
The lone exception, seventh-round tackle Jack Nelson, still has time to develop, but even without him, this class already looks like a foundational group.
One of the boldest moves the Falcons made was trading their 2026 first-round pick to jump back into the first round and select edge rusher James Pearce Jr. That gamble paid off in a big way.
Pearce didn’t just flash potential-he led all rookies with 10.5 sacks and quickly became a cornerstone of the defense. Pair him with Jalon Walker, and suddenly Atlanta has a young, dynamic pass-rushing duo that could anchor the unit for years to come.
While GM Terry Fontenot made the final calls on those picks, Abanikanda and his scouting department played a crucial role in identifying the talent. Take Xavier Watts, for example.
Drafted late in the third round, he turned out to be one of the best rookies in the league, leading all first-year players with five interceptions. Then there’s Billy Bowman Jr., a fourth-rounder who became a versatile weapon in the secondary and looks set to lock down the nickel corner spot long-term.
That kind of value in the middle rounds doesn’t happen by accident-it’s the result of a scouting department that knows what it’s doing.
And that’s where Abanikanda’s impact really shows. He’s been grinding behind the scenes for years, starting as a scouting assistant before working his way up to area scout, then national scout, and eventually taking over as director of college scouting in 2024.
He’s worked under two different GMs-Thomas Dimitroff and Terry Fontenot-and earned respect across regimes. That kind of staying power in an ever-changing league says a lot about his football acumen and the trust he’s built inside the building.
Now, as Ian Cunningham continues to shape the Falcons’ front office, keeping a seasoned, sharp-eyed evaluator like Abanikanda in a key role is a savvy move. It’s not just about continuity-it’s about making sure the people who helped build last year’s success are in place to keep that momentum going.
The Falcons are trying to build something sustainable, and that starts with the right people in the right positions. With Abanikanda now elevated to director of scouting, they’re keeping one of their most important pieces right where he belongs.