David Onyemata mock draft focus grows as Falcons eye defense, receiver options
Mock draft projections for the Atlanta Falcons have largely pointed toward defensive help with the team’s first 2026 selection, while one post-combine projection has Atlanta taking Clemson wide receiver Antonio Williams in the second round. The mix of early forecasts has kept roster focus, including david onyemata, in view ahead of April.
Ian Cunningham and Kevin Stefanski face a delayed first pick at No. 48
Atlanta’s first selections in the 2026 NFL Draft will come under general manager Ian Cunningham and head coach Kevin Stefanski, but the club is not scheduled to pick until No. 48 in the second round. A weekly roundup of national mock drafts noted that the absence of a first-round pick could mean fewer projections that include an Atlanta selection.
Chris Johnson and Christen Miller appear in defense-heavy Falcons projections
Several recent mock drafts have matched Atlanta with defensive prospects, including San Diego State cornerback Chris Johnson. One analysis tied to Johnson cited his NFL Combine testing, listing a 4. 40 time at 6-0 and 193 pounds, along with a 38 inch vertical jump and a 10-foot-6 broad jump, and framed him as a potential complement opposite A. J. Terrell. Another projection had Atlanta taking Georgia defensive tackle Christen Miller at pick No. 53 after a trade back, describing Miller as 6-foot-4 and 305 pounds and noting Brugler’s ranking of him as the No. 37 overall player.
Antonio Williams projection highlights wide receiver need opposite Drake London
A post-combine mock draft projecting Atlanta’s second-round choice at No. 48 slotted Clemson wide receiver Antonio Williams to the Falcons, citing a need for production opposite wide receiver Drake London. Williams’ college production was listed as 208 catches for 2, 336 yards and 21 touchdowns, plus 25 rushes for 187 yards and two touchdowns in 2, 035 career snaps over 43 games with 38 starts from 2022-25. The same write-up also listed 39 career punt returns for 351 yards.
Malachi Lawrence mock draft ties edge plans to James Pearce Jr. arrest
In a separate seven-round post-combine mock draft that barred trades, Atlanta used its Round 2, Pick 48 selection on UCF edge rusher Malachi Lawrence. That projection connected the position choice to the arrest of star rookie James Pearce Jr. and suggested the team might have to plan as if Pearce were unavailable, while also noting multiple free agents at the position. The mock draft listed Lawrence at 6-4 and 253 pounds, and used Round 3, Pick 79 on Tennessee wide receiver Chris Brazzell II, described as running a 4. 37 second 40 at the combine and measured at 6-5 and 200 pounds.
The 2026 NFL Draft is scheduled for April 23-25 in Pittsburgh, with Atlanta currently positioned to wait for pick No. 48 in the second round unless it trades back into the first round. As draft projections cycle through defense and wide receiver options, the roster conversation remains centered on needs up front and across the depth chart, including david onyemata.
