The Atlanta Falcons are entering a new era after a disappointing 8-9 2025 season (4-4 home and 4-5 on road) firing their head coach and GM. Matt Ryan takes over as president of football operations with new GM Ian Cunningham from the Bears (who did not get comp picks). New head coach Kevin Stefanski (fired by Browns) takes over the Falcons and the offense. Jeff Ulbrich remans at DC for the Falcons.
Major Strengths
- Elite Running Back Duo
- Bijan Robinson is identified by ESPN as the biggest strength of the roster.
- Top‑5 in carries, rushing yards, receptions, touches, and scrimmage yards for two straight seasons.
- At least 10 TDs in consecutive years.
- Brian Robinson Jr. adds a dependable second option, replacing Allgeier at one‑third the cost.
- Best-in-NFL Safety Group
Sports Illustrated ranks Safety as the #1 position group on the roster:
- Jessie Bates III + Xavier Watts form what SI calls possibly the top safety tandem in the NFL.
- Depth includes DeMarcco Hellams, Jammie Robinson, Sydney Brown.
- Interior Offensive Line Stability
Ranked as a top‑3 unit:
- Anchored by all pro Chris Lindstrom, LG Matthew Bergeron, Center Ryan Neuzil who all had strong play in 2025 for Bijan Robinson.
- Deep rotation with Stueber, Walton, Levin, Brockermeyer, Dewberry, Hinton, Layden Robinson.
- Young Defensive Talent with Upside
- 2nd round pick Rookie CB Avieon Terrell is ESPN’s “X‑factor,” potentially starting opposite his brother good CB A.J. Terrell Jr.
- OLB Samson Ebukam or Azeez Oljurai could see an expanded role depending on discipline outcomes for James Pearce Jr.
Major Weaknesses
- Quarterback Uncertainty (Biggest Concern)
ESPN labels QB as the largest roster flaw:
- Michael Penix Jr.
- 14 TDs in 14 games.
- Accuracy issues.
- Recovering from torn ACL (Week 11, 2025).
- Tua Tagovailoa
- Coming off an underwhelming 2025 season.
- Miami absorbed $99M dead cap to move on from him.
This is the single biggest factor behind ESPN ranking Atlanta’s roster third worst in the NFL entering 2026.
- Cornerback Depth & Coverage Concerns
- Veteran Mike Hughes struggled in coverage last season.
- Billy Bowman will need take a step up in the slot
- Heavy reliance on rookie Avieon Terrell to stabilize CB2 over Hughes.
- Edge Rusher Instability
- OLB James Pearce Jr. (10.5 sacks) may face league discipline, forcing Samson Ebukam into a larger role along with 2025 1st round pick Jalon Walker (5.5 sacks) opposite him and Azeez Ojulari added for depth. 3-4 DE Brandon Dorlus (8.5 sacks), 3-4 DE Zach Harrison (4.5 sacks) and NT Masson Smith (added in trade for another 2nd round Dt) add some pass unexpected pass rush. Might/may be able to generate a rush but Pearce was the main guy.
- Overall Roster Depth
Falcons Wire and ESPN both highlight:
- A roster with top-heavy talent but thin depth across multiple positions.
- ESPN ranks Atlanta 29th overall in roster strength.
Balanced or Mixed Areas
Offensive Line (Tackles)
- Interior OL is strong, but tackle play is less certain with veteran left tackle Jake Matthews solid but new RT Jawaan Taylor (from Chiefs and false start king) taking over for the retired Kaleb McGreary. Backup OT Wanya Morris was added for depth with a trade with Chiefs.
Wide Receiver / Passing Game
- Not directly covered in the surfaced sources, but ESPN’s QB concerns imply the passing game is a question mark.
- WR Drake London (919 yards and 7 TDs in 12 games) and TE Kyle Pitts (928 yards and 5 TDs in 17 games) both earned big contract extensions this offseason. Jahan Dotson was added after the failed 1st round pick didn’t work for Commanders or Eagles. Olamide Zaccheaus returns in the slot after one year in Chicago. Zachariah Branch was drafted in Round 3 from Georgia with some potential.
Off Ball Linebacker
Christian Harris was added for off the ball LB from the Texans to pair with Divine Deablo. Two rookies in 4th round pick Kendal Daneils and 6th round pick Harold Perkins (LSU ) were added for depth. Injured Troy Anderson remains as well. LB is improved but still vulnerable in run defense and coverage.
Bottom Line
The 2026 Falcons have:
- Elite top-end talent (RB, Safety, Interior OL)
- Promising young defenders
- But major instability at QB, CB depth, and edge rusher reliability
This explains why ESPN places them near the bottom of NFL roster rankings, despite having several standout players led by Bijan Robinson.
The Falcons host the Bears in Week 6 and Lions in Week 13. Atlanta travels to Green Bay in Week 3 and to Minnesota in Week 12. The North teams should win all 4 games but the Falcons have been pesky in the past. Unless Tua/Penix take a step under Stefanski, they could be in trouble in year 1 at least.