RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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The Atlanta Falcons put Ian Cunningham to the test in his first offseason replacing Terry Fontenot as general manager. Cunningham was forced to enter the 2026 NFL Draft without a first-round selection and just a handful of picks overall.
The Falcons' scouting department prioritized finding talent middle rounds, and it's safe to say they found a few intriguing players on Day 3 of the draft. Atlanta selected two ultra-versatile linebackers in Oklahoma's Kendal Daniels and LSU's Harold Perkins.
The Falcons lost veteran linebacker Kaden Elliss in free agency, leaving a big hole next to Divine Deablo on defense. Perkins, a sixth-round pick, has made a compelling case to replace Elliss thus far in training camp.
CBS Sports listed Perkins as one of 10 players on their rookie watch list for this week's preseason slate of games:
"Although listed second team on the depth chart, Perkins is already earning repetitions with the first team in training camp. Again, in the modern NFL, there are expanded opportunities for hybrid linebackers capable of rushing the passer, as well as down-to-down responsibilities. Perkins had fulfilled both linebacker and edge rusher roles early in his time at LSU; that had been viewed as a negative, but it may prove to be a blessing in disguise in the right scheme." - Josh Edwards, CBS Sports
The Falcons will open the preseason against the Denver Broncos on Friday night at home. Perkins is certainly someone to watch as he looks to overtake current first-team linebacker Christian Harris on the depth chart .
Considering it's still so early in camp, we wouldn't rule out either Perkins or Daniels sneaking into that starting lineup before the regular season begins. Other Falcons rookies to keep an eye include second-round pick Avieon Terrell ( if he plays ), third-round pick Zachariah Branch and sevent-round pick Ethan Oninawa.
Branch, the speedy wide receiver out of Georgia, was listed as the team's starting punt returner on the depth chart. Terrell was the backup nickel corner behind Darnay Holmes.
The Falcons-Broncos game kicks off Friday night at 7 p.m. ET. inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: CBS Sports lists Falcons rookie among top 10 players to watch
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