Breaking down the Falcons’ roster after first wave of free agency

Examining each position group following Atlanta’s latest free-agent signings.

The Atlanta Falcons have already made some notable changes after the first week of NFL free agency. Multiple starters, including linebacker Kaden Elliss, defensive tackle David Onyemata and wide receiver Darnell Mooney, are no longer in Atlanta.

Meanwhile, the team has added over a dozen new players, including quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, edge rusher Azeez Ojulari and defensive tackle Da’Shawn Hand. The Falcons surely aren’t done yet, but they’ve done enough to warrant an updated roster breakdown.

Here’s a quick look at each position position group on the 2026 roster after the first wave of NFL free agency (new players in bold).

Quarterback (2)

• Michael Penix Jr. (9)
• Tua Tagovailoa

Tagovailoa replaces Kirk Cousins in Atlanta’s quarterback room this season. The former No. 5 pick was released by the Dolphins two years into a four-year, $212 million extension he signed in 2024. Tagovailoa signed with the Falcons for the league minimum and is expected to compete with Michael Penix Jr. for the starting QB job in 2026.

Running Back (3)

• Bijan Robinson (7)
• Carlos Washington Jr. (23)
• Nathan Carter (25)

Former Falcons running back Tyler Allgeier signed a two-year, $12.2 million contract with the Arizona Cardinals. The team has yet to add any free-agent running backs, but they have two former undrafted free agents with decent upside in Nathan Carter and Carlos Washington Jr. We’ll see if the team adds anyone over next few weeks in free agency or in the 2026 NFL Draft next month.

Wide Receiver (7)

• Drake London (5)
• Chris Blair (19)
• Dylan Drummond (81)
• Casey Washington (82)
• Deven Thompkins (83)
• Jahan Dotson
• Olamide Zaccheaus

The Falcons said goodbye to Darnell Mooney and KhaDarel Hodge at the start of NFL free agency, freeing up roughly $10 million cap space. The team used that money to sign former first-round pick Jahan Dotson to a two-year, $15 million contract. Atlanta also brought back Olamide Zaccheaus, who began his career with the Falcons as an undrafted free agent.

Tight End (4)

• Kyle Pitts (8)
• Charlie Woerner (89)
• Joshua Simon (47)
• Austin Hooper

The Falcons used the franchise tag on Kyle Pitts, keeping the former top-five pick in Atlanta for at least one more season. Joining Pitts is former Falcons third-round pick Austin Hooper. Plus, veteran Charlie Woerner returns for another year. Hooper can provide some depth to what should be a solid tight end room in Atlanta this season.

Offensive Linemen (11)

• Jake Matthews (70)
• Matthew Bergeron (65)
• Ryan Neuzil (64)
• Chris Lindstrom (63)
• Kaleb McGary (76)
• Andrew Steuber (62)
• Kyle Hinton (68)
• Jack Nelson (69)
• Michael Jerrell (72)
• Storm Norton (77)
• Corey Levin

Atlanta let Jovaughn Gwyn and Elijah Wilkinson walk in free agency. While Gwyn was a backup, Wilkinson started all 17 games for the Falcons last season in place of injured right tackle Kaleb McGary. Wilkinson signed with the Arizona Cardinals. The Falcons signed veteran Corey Levin. The former Titans offensive lineman can provide depth at center and guard this season.

Defensive Linemen (8)

• Brandon Dorlus (53)
• Ruke Orhorhoro (98)
• Zach Harrison (96)
• Elijah Garcia (91)
• LaCale London (94)
• Ben Stille (95)
• Da’Shawn Hand
• Chris Williams

The Falcons lost veteran David Onyemata, who signed a one-year deal with the New York Jets in free agency, and signed former Chargers defensive lineman Da’Shawn Hand as a replacement. Hand started 13 games last year. Plus, the team signed former Bears defensive tackle Chris Williams for depth. LaCale London also returns after posting a career-high five-sacks last season. Meanwhile, Kentavius Street departed for Chicago.

Linebackers (6)

• Divine Deablo (0)
• Troy Andersen (44)
• JD Bertrand (40)
• Malik Verdon (43)
• Christian Harris
• Channing Tindall

The big loss here is Kaden Elliss. The veteran linebacker signed a three-year $33 million contract with the rival New Orleans Saints. The Falcons added former Georgia Bulldog Channing Tindall and former Texans linebacker Christian Harris. It’s going to take more than one player to replace Elliss, which appears to be the team’s approach situation in free agency. Divine Deablo returns following a tremendous first season in Atlanta, and Troy Andersen is back on a revised contract. Andersen’s versatility could give him an inside track to the starting job.

EDGE (6)

• Jalon Walker (11)
• James Pearce Jr. (27)
• Balen Trice (48)
• Azeez Ojulari
• Samson Ebukam
• Cameron Thomas

The Falcons have added three players to their edge group thus far, signing veterans Azeez Ojulari, Samson Ebukam and Cameron Thomas. These three will help replace Arnold Ebiketie, Leonard Floyd and potentially James Pearce Jr., if he has to miss time this season. On paper, this looks like one of the better edge groups in the NFL.

Cornerbacks (9)

• A.J. Terrell (24)
• Mike Hughes (21)
• Billy Bowman Jr. (33)
• Cobee Bryant (37)
• Clark Phillips III (22)
• C.J. Henderson (39)
• Natrone Brooks (35)
• Mike Ford Jr. (28)
• A.J. Woods (30)

The Falcons haven’t made any moves to their secondary, aside from re-signing Natrone Brooks. Starters A.J. Terrell and Mike Hughes will both return in 2026. However, Dee Alford landed a three-year contract with the Buffalo Bills. Cobee Bryant and Clark Phillips III could be in for a bigger roles. Plus, promising rookie Billy Bowman Jr. should be back in his starting nickel role, assuming he has fully recovered from his Achilles injury.

Safeties (5)

• Jessie Bates III (3)
• Xavier Wats (31)
• DeMarcco Hellams (23)
• Jammie Robinson (34)
• Tysheem Johnson (41)

The team hasn’t made any changes at safety thus far, but starters Jessie Bates III and Xavier Watts will be back in 2026. The play-making duo combined for eight interceptions last season. Former seventh-round pick DeMarcco Hellams is set to return for his fourth season.

Special Teams (4)

• K: Nick Folk
• P: Jake Bailey
• LS: Liam McCullough (49)
• P: Gil Trenton (32)

The Falcons signed kicker Nick Folk and punter Jake Bailey in free agency as replacements for Zane Gonzalez and Bradley Pinion. Meanwhile, veteran long snapper Liam McCullough returns for another season.