ClutchPoints
The 2026 NFL Draft is still a season away, but for a franchise like the Atlanta Falcons, eager to build a sustainable contender, early scouting is essential. The Falcons’ long-term needs on both sides of the ball make it crucial to monitor elite talent at other positions. Here are prospects who could be game-changers for Atlanta and are already generating first-round buzz.
Peter Woods enters the 2025 college football season as one of the most dominant and versatile defensive linemen in the nation. At 6’3″ and 315 pounds, Woods is a rare blend of size, athleticism, and technical refinement. He’s been a disruptive force since his high school days in Alabama, where he racked up four state championships and nearly 30 sacks, and he’s only elevated his game at Clemson.
Woods’ explosiveness off the snap is immediately apparent, he’s often the first defender moving, gaining leverage and disrupting blocking schemes before they can develop. His athletic fluidity is exceptional for a player of his size, allowing him to bend and contort through gaps that would be closed to most interior linemen. This rare trait was on full display against Georgia’s NFL-caliber offensive line, where Woods consistently found ways to penetrate and create havoc in the backfield.
Against the run, Woods is a technician. He diagnoses blocking schemes pre-snap, maintains gap integrity, and has the processing speed to adjust on the fly. His powerful lower half allows him to bull rush and collapse the pocket, while his relentless motor ensures he’s chasing plays 20+ yards downfield, never taking a snap off. In 2024, Woods posted 28 tackles, nine tackles for loss, three sacks, and a forced fumble, cementing his status as a top prospect
For the Falcons, who have invested heavily in their defensive front but still lack a true game-wrecker, Woods could be the missing piece. His ability to anchor against the run and disrupt the passer from multiple alignments would immediately elevate Atlanta’s defense and provide a foundational building block for years to come.
Antonio Williams is poised to be one of the most coveted wide receivers in the 2026 draft class. The Clemson standout has already established himself as an elite route runner, placing in the 94th percentile in separation rate against single coverage and catching 58% of his contested targets in 2024. At 6’0″, Williams isn’t the biggest receiver, but his technical polish, quickness, and football IQ make him a constant threat at all three levels of the field.
What makes Williams especially intriguing for the Falcons is his fit within a modern, pass-heavy offense. Atlanta has invested in young pass-catchers, but the need for a true WR1 remains. Williams’ route-running prowess and ability to win against man coverage would give the Falcons a go-to option on critical downs and in the red zone. His skill set would complement Atlanta’s existing weapons and help unlock the full potential of their passing attack.
Williams is projected...
