Four UDFAs who can make Atlanta Falcons roster

AUBURN, ALABAMA - NOVEMBER 19: Tight end Brandon Frazier #87 of the Auburn Tigers looks to run the ball by linebacker Derrick Smith #24 of the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers during they first half of play at Jordan-Hare Stadium on November 19, 2022 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Michael Chang/Getty Images) | Getty Images The 2026 NFL Draft is officially closed, and the Atlanta Falcons clearly had one concept in mind in Ian Cunningham’s first draft as general manager: Take as many bets on high-end traits as possible. With Zachariah Branch, the bet is on his speed and return ability to hold him up as he continues to develop as an overall receiver in the NFL.

For Kendal Daniels, it’s a bet on the versatility from his safety days at Oklahoma, combined with his ability to play the run as a linebacker, to become another chess piece in the Jeff Ulbrich puzzle. Anterio Thompson, Harold Perkins, and Ethan Onwiana all have traits that can potentially show themselves on special teams or otherwise, before becoming potential stalwarts on a Falcons roster that is still in its early stages of being reworked under the first year of Cunningham, Matt Ryan, and Kevin Stefanski. The only “sure thing” the Falcons really drafted in this year’s draft was an undersized outside cornerback in Avieon Terrell, who even NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah reported would “project best as a nickel” at the NFL level.

Alongside these worthwhile gambles, the Falcons brought in 16 undrafted free agents and extended four rookie minicamp invites to help fill out this summer’s 90-man roster. While the focus has been on the beautiful moment between the Terrell Brothers and the flipping of Harold Perkins from the evil empire, these 20 individuals have bought themselves a golden ticket to an opportunity at an NFL roster. And when the list was finalized, there were five names that stood out immediately.

Auburn TE Brandon Frazier Since joining the team as, coincidentally, an undrafted free agent in 2023, I have been waiting for Joshua Simon to emerge as the H-Back for the Falcons. I thought his combination of athleticism (8. 65 RAS, sub 4.