Falcons depth chart 2025
Archived — this story has rotated out of today’s deck. It is kept here in full.
The gist
The Falcons released their Week 1 depth chart, listing rookies Kendal Daniels and Avieon Terrell as.
It settles Atlanta's lineup questions before the Sept. 13 opener against Pittsburgh.
Background
Atlanta released its first official depth chart of the 2026 season ahead of the Sept. 13 opener against the Steelers. The list confirms Tua Tagovailoa at quarterback and puts two rookies — Kendal Daniels and Avieon Terrell — in the starting lineup. It also comes as the Falcons' pass rush is depleted: 2025 first-round edge rushers Jalon Walker and James Pearce Jr. are out for most of the 2026 season, and veteran Za'Darius Smith was signed out of retirement in mid-August to add depth.
How it unfolded
- mid-August 2026The Falcons sign veteran pass rusher Za'Darius Smith out of retirement to bolster depth at the position.
- Sep 6, 2026Reports note the Falcons will be without Jalon Walker and James Pearce Jr. for most of the 2026 season, starting with the Sept. 13 opener.
- Sep 8, 2026Atlanta releases its first official Week 1 depth chart, listing rookies Kendal Daniels and Avieon Terrell as starters.
Who’s saying what
- Analysts
- The Falcoholic writes that Daniels, a fourth-round pick, immediately looked like a coordinator favorite and outdueled Christian Harris for the starting job.
- Analysts
- Behind the Steel Curtain frames the Falcons' pass rush as depleted for Week 1, with listed starters Cameron Thomas (2.5 sacks last year) and Brandon Dorlus (8.5 sacks last year).
- Analysts
- The Falcoholic notes Brian Robinson Jr. as kick returner was not set in stone and that he averaged nearly 30 yards per return in 2025 with the 49ers.
Still unverified
One report says Tua Tagovailoa will be atop the Falcons' Week 1 depth chart, as first reported by ESPN's Adam Schefter; the retrieved material does not include an official team announcement confirming it.