Falcons Draft Westlake's Avieon Terrell at No. 48, Brother Reunion in Atlanta

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- Atlanta Falcons fans erupted as the team kept it all in the family Friday night, drafting Clemson cornerback Avieon Terrell at No. 48 overall in the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft. The metro Atlanta native, a Westlake High School standout like his older brother A.J. Terrell -- Atlanta's former first-round pick and current cornerback -- brings shutdown potential to the secondary. Avieon thrived at Clemson, earning top-flight prospect status with his coverage skills, mirroring A.J.'s path from the same Atlanta roots.

Westlake High, a powerhouse in Fulton County, now boasts two NFL brothers on the same roster, underscoring Georgia's pipeline of defensive talent. The selection thrilled local outlets like 11Alive and WSBTV, highlighting metro Atlanta's draft dominance as nearby Suwanee native Kayden McDonald went to Houston at No. 36 and Westlake's Zion Young to Baltimore shortly after. Falcons GM Terry Fontenot called it a 'homegrown dream' in post-draft remarks, bolstering a secondary that ranked mid-pack in 2025.

The Falcons weren't done with Georgia flavor. In Round 3 at No. 79, they snagged University of Georgia wide receiver Zachariah Branch, whose explosive 2025 junior season -- six touchdowns and elite run-after-catch ability -- lit up Sanford Stadium, just 70 miles east of Flowery Branch. Branch, a true playmaker, eyes a starting kick return role as a rookie, adding speed to Atlanta's offense.

This draft hauls two Georgia products, fortifying a roster hungry for playoffs after missing in 2025. With the Terrell brothers patrolling the back end and Branch stretching fields, the Falcons signal a new era of home-state grit.