Falcons make massive moves in early 2026 predictions

ATLANTA, GA OCTOBER 08: Houston quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) rolls out of the pocket during the NFL game between the Houston Texans and the Atlanta Falcons on October 8th, 2023 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA. (Photo by Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Welcome to the start of football season. Training camp is just getting underway, and the football landscape is littered with ambition and golden promises. Every question mark is answered with the best-case scenario; every breakout player will be the most actualized version of themselves come this time next season.

That’s why when bold predictors like SB Nation’s Jarrett Bailey go out on a limb to predict 61 different aspects of the 2026 season, I have no choice but to respect the game.

To put yourself out there and plant your flag this early on topics like “Who’s going to win the Super Bowl?” or even something as trivial as “Who’s throwing the most passing touchdowns this season?” is a level of courage that I haven’t acquired yet.

So, is it possible that none of these things will happen? Absolutely. Maybe it’s even likely.

But it is a cool way to dive into the minds of some of these guys who also wake up and think about this beautiful game 24/7/365.

So, let’s dive into these predictions, and more importantly, what Bailey said about the Atlanta Falcons.

1) Bijan Robinson ranks third in rushing yards, falls out of top five (again) in rushing TDs

After discussing 29 other topics that don’t necessarily affect the Falcons, Bailey lists out his top five league leaders in 10 different categories, including rushing yards and rushing touchdowns. In rushing yards, Robinson slots in at third with 1,427 yards, behind only James Cook (1,493) and Jahmyr Gibbs (1,648).

This could be a sore spot for Falcons fans, as the battle of “which running back is more valuable” continues to rage on even into this season, as both are up for extensions and neither is willing to blink first to get the lesser amount of the two backs.

That being said, neither of the two 2023 first-round picks shows up on the rushing touchdowns list as new Kansas City Chief Kenneth Walker takes the crown with 15 scores. The Broncos’ Javonte Williams and Ravens’ Derrick Henry tied for fourth with 12.

2) Drake London is not a top-five producer in receptions, receiving yards nor receiving touchdowns

I think this is more a statement on how poor the Falcons quarterback situation may get in 2026; more on that to come, but the newly minted number-one receiver for Atlanta didn’t breach the top five in receptions. Cincinnati Bengals’ Ja’Marr Chase snatches the triple crown in this exercise, leading in receptions (128), yards (1,693) and touchdowns (20). A wild prediction since we’ve never had a receiver hit 125+ receptions, 1600 receiving yards and 20 touchdowns.

The closest we’ve gotten is our latest triple-crown recipients: Chase in 2024 (127, 1708, 17), Cooper Kupp in 2021 (145, 1947, 16) and the G.O.A.T. Jerry Rice in 1995 (122, 1848, 15).

All this could mean is that London is right there, sitting around 100 receptions and 1200 yards again, as he did in 2024, especially with the more run-heavy approach we expect Kevin Stefanski to deploy. Or, we could be looking at another year of wasted Drake London, Kyle Pitts, and Bijan Robinson routes as the search for a franchise quarterback continues.

But we’re not getting into that yet; first, we have a terrible prediction to divulge.

3) The Aints win the NFC South

Listen, call it what you want: Hype around the unknown that is Tyler Shough, the buzz around their young head coach, Kellen Moore, the way that New Orleans’ defense had the fourth-best defense in EPA/play after their Week 12 bye last season. Still, the hype machine surrounding that team in the bayou has been loud, and only getting louder.

“Another team I’m very bullish on is the New Orleans Saints. The additions they’ve made this offseason should have their fans excited. Jordyn Tyson taken in the first round to complement Chris Olave, Travis Etienne coming off the best season of his career and now being paired with Alvin Kamara, David Edwards at guard, cornerback Martin Emerson on a cheap deal. This is a team that won four of its last five games in 2025, and Tyler Shough showed real progress in that stretch – they win a wide open division and host a playoff game for the first time since 2020.”

It sickens me that they may be getting better as the Falcons potentially bottom out in an attempt to find themselves in the NFL landscape. But it has been amazing watching them take their medicine after they continuously tried to beat the salary cap, and hopefully that will continue.

In this scenario, the Falcons will be bitter about missing the opportunity to stomp on the Saints more while they’re down, but that’s all about to change with the fourth and final bit of this exercise for the Falcons…and it’s a doozy.

4) Falcons trade for CJ Stroud

“The Falcons have a really nice collection of talent on offense, with Bijan Robinson being who many believe is the top running back in the NFL, and Drake London is one of the game’s finest receivers. Unfortunately, they have yet to find a quarterback who they can lean on, and that will continue to be the case in 2026 with Tua Tagovailoa and Michael Penix. Atlanta trades for Stroud, who easily becomes the best quarterback Kevin Stefanski has had since Baker Mayfield…”

Immediately, what comes to mind is what it would cost to obtain a 26-year-old quarterback who was the clear Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2023.

If the Texans believe that they can find a better solution to the position in the draft, especially with the window currently afforded by their impressive defense, there is a chance they could move on from Stroud, but what would the cost be?

For the Texans to fall short of their goals, probably an AFC Championship game appearance, it would more than likely fall on Str...

Indexed and credited by AIPROPX. Originating outlet: Yahoo Sports. Open at source →