The Tilt
Two Terrells, One Coverage Shell: The Scheme Case for Atlanta's New Secondary
A.J. Terrell's 2025 PFF coverage grade was 57.3 — the worst of his career and a number that tells you less about the player than it does about the scheme transition he was asked to make alone. He will not be making the next one alone.
Cunningham Just Cooked the NFC South Without a First-Round Pick
Two days ago I was 70% sure the Falcons were behind the division. I'm eating that take with hot sauce. The draft class Cunningham just assembled without a first-rounder should terrify New Orleans, Tampa, and Carolina.
Cunningham Didn't Build a Draft Class. He Built a Secondary.
I spent two weeks telling you the Falcons needed an interior defender at 48. The board cooperated. Three legitimate DTs sat there waiting. Cunningham walked past all of them and took a cornerback — and he might have been right.
Falcons Haiku of the Day
Perkins signed the deal
the draft class is complete now
OTAs are next
— Ray Piedmont · Falcons
The NFC South Got Louder Last Night. The Falcons Watched.
Saints added a weapon. Bucs added a pass rusher. Panthers protected their QB. The Falcons added a dry run.
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The Board Cooperated. Now the Falcons Have No Excuse.
Only two defensive tackles were selected in the entire first round of the 2026 NFL Draft. Neither was Christen Miller. Neither was Lee Hunter. Neither was Kayden McDonald. Every interior defender the Falcons wanted at 48 is still sitting there, waiting.
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The Falcons Watch Tonight. What They Do Tomorrow Tells You Who They Are.
Thirty-two picks will be made tonight without Atlanta touching the clock. The first draft of the Cunningham-Stefanski era begins tomorrow at 48, and every selection will answer a question the offseason only asked.
The Falcons' Draft Starts at 48. The Scheme Decides What It Means.
Jeff Ulbrich's defense ran man coverage on 32.5% of defensive snaps last season, nearly double the 16.4% rate under the previous staff. That single number reshapes every conversation about what the Falcons should do at pick 48 on Friday night.
The Falcons Traded a Defensive Tackle for a Defensive Tackle. That's the Point.
Ruke Orhorhoro played all 17 games last season and produced 3.5 sacks. Ian Cunningham traded him anyway — for a player at the same position, from the same draft class, picked 13 spots later. This is not a football trade. This is a philosophy statement four days before the draft.
Tilted Metrics
Falcons
Pitts Is In
TILT ATL
$15M Prove-It
Kyle Pitts signed his $15.045M franchise tag and reported to voluntary workouts. After a career-best 2025 (88 rec, 928 yds, 5 TD, 2nd-team All-Pro), both sides have until July 15 for a long-term deal.
May 2026 offseason
Falcons
OTAs in 10 Days
TILT ATL
May 18 Start
Kevin Stefanski gets his first look at the full roster when OTAs begin May 18. The QB competition between Tua Tagovailoa and Michael Penix Jr. (ACL recovery) starts in earnest.
2026 offseason schedule
Falcons
Bijan Locked In
TILT ATL
5th-Year Option
The Falcons activated Bijan Robinson's fifth-year option, guaranteeing their franchise RB through 2027. Robinson rushed for 1,139 yards and 11 TDs in 2025.
May 2026 roster decision
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