The Atlanta Falcons are in the kind of offseason stretch that makes every training camp rep feel loaded with meaning. With a new head coach, a new offensive coordinator and maybe a new starting quarterback in the mix, the wait until August feels longer than usual.
Meanwhile, the sports world spent Tuesday locked into a World Cup finish that immediately triggered a familiar Falcons comparison. Argentina erased a 2-0 deficit and beat Egypt 3-2 in a wild turnaround, and Tom Brady wasted no time weighing in on social media. Brady called it the kind of comeback that could pass his own most infamous rally, posting: "Yeah, so that might top 28-3."
The Falcons also showed up in CBS Sports’ ranking of the NFL’s top 25 players under 25, and they landed in a big way. Drake London checked in at No. 19 on Tyler Sullivan’s list.
Sullivan wrote, "While London doesn't exactly get the same shine as some other elite receivers, he's every bit as talented," and added, "Even with this monster extension, one could make the case that he's still underrated in league circles. London is one of just five players with at least 2,000 receiving yards and 15-plus receiving touchdowns since 2024.
He's done that despite lackluster quarterback play throughout his career."
Bijan Robinson went all the way to No. 1 on that same list. Sullivan called him "arguably the best dual-threat running back in the league and has put together a start to his career unlike anything we've seen before." He also noted that Robinson has done it "despite subpar quarterback play for much of his career," and described him as "one of the game's true lightning rods."
ESPN’s annual cornerback rankings, built from a poll of anonymous NFL executives, included A.J. Terrell only as an honorable mention.
One exec told ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, "He's been really good for a long time. He just can't get the ball [with six interceptions in six NFL seasons]."
ESPN also highlighted Terrell’s younger brother, Avieon Terrell, as the Falcons’ x-factor for 2026 in a roster feature. Seth Walder pointed to the possibility that Avieon could become the answer at outside corner opposite A.J.
Terrell Jr., writing, "Last season, Mike Hughes allowed 1.5 yards per coverage snap, much higher than average for an outside cornerback. Could Terrell, who was the Falcons' first selection in this year's draft at No. 48, end up being a better solution at outside corner opposite his brother A.J.
Terrell Jr.? If so, that would be a good sign for Atlanta's secondary."
And in the Falcons’ training camp spotlight, rookie wide receiver Zachariah Branch is a name to watch. His ability to create after the catch lines up with what Falcons head coach Kevin Stefanski and OC Tommy Rees want to do on offense, especially on screen passes.
Branch could make an early impact even if he opens his NFL career in the slot, and the expectation is that he can eventually grow into Atlanta’s No. 2 role. He also flashed impressive breakaway speed at minicamp.
In Other News...
One Falcons Bubble Player Is Running Out Of Camp Chances
Training camp has already put a spotlight on the Falcons tight end room, where the depth chart is far from settled and every rep matters. Joshua Simon, an undrafted free agent who came back on a reserve/futures contract after being released last preseason, is trying to turn a promising spring into something more lasting as he works under Kevin Stefanskis new coaching staff.
Simon showed a few encouraging flashes during OTAs, but the margin for error gets thinner once the pads come on and the roster battles sharpen. He is in the mix with Jack Velling and others for one of the final tight end jobs behind Kyle Pitts, Austin Hooper and Charlie Woerner, and the next stretch of camp will go a long way toward deciding whether Simon can force his way into the conversation. [Read more 🡒]
Falcons Fans Just Got A Brutal Reminder Of An Even Bigger Draft Bust
Aundray Bruce has long carried the label of one of the Falcons biggest draft disappointments, and for good reason. The No. 1 overall pick in 1988 never became the kind of franchise linebacker Atlanta hoped for, even though he stuck around the league for 11 seasons mostly as a backup, which at least gave the pick some measure of staying power.
But the franchises draft history has another painful chapter, and it comes with a different kind of frustration. Bruce Pickens arrived with far more hype, yet his time in Atlanta was marked by a messy start, limited impact and a career that never came close to matching the expectations that came with his draft slot, leaving Falcons fans with a reminder that the teams draft regrets run deeper than one famous miss. [Read more 🡒]
Bijan Robinson Just Put Falcons Fans On Extension Watch
The Falcons have already checked one box with Bijan Robinson, exercising his fifth-year option as a placeholder while the real business looms. It is the kind of move that buys time, but not much mystery, because Robinsons place in Atlantas offense and his strong 2025 season have only sharpened the focus on what comes next for one of the leagues most dynamic young backs.
NFL Networks Mike Garafolo expects Robinson and Jahmyr Gibbs to be in line for top-of-market running back deals, with the Lions possibly needing to move first after Gibbs expanded role following the David Montgomery trade. For Atlanta, the bigger question is not whether Robinson is part of the long-term plan, but how quickly the Falcons are ready to turn that plan into a contract before the next season opens. [Read more 🡒]