The release of the depth chart in a given week is only noteworthy when it contains new information that was not previously known to us, and that doesn’t happen all that often. For Week 1, most of the depth chart drama figured to be out of the way with the announcement that Tua Tagovailoa is the starting quarterback to start the season.
Not all of it, though. We had not yet had it confirmed that rookie linebacker Kendal Daniels would be starting next to Divine Deablo, a post-draft prediction of mine that looked good all summer but was not yet official. We also didn’t know who the starting nickel cornerback would be, though Darnay Holmes ending up on the practice squad and Billy Bowman not being quite ready to get back on the field pointed toward rookie Avieon Terrell. Today, both of those are official (or as official as it gets for an “unofficial” depth chart).
I had high hopes for both rookies, and it’s particularly impressive for Terrell to grab this opportunity given that team observers felt Darnay Holmes was in the driver’s seat. The Falcons will have to figure out how to work Bowman in once he returns, but Terrell’s ball hawking abilities, coverage skills, and comfort at nickel made him a logical choice for the nickel spot in the here and now. Long-term I do think we may see him start next opposite his brother A.J. outside, but the trio of two Terrells and Mike Hughes will all be out there in Week 1 regardless. No matter where he winds up lining up this season, Avieon should be a starter the whole way.
So should Daniels, if all goes well. Drafted in the fourth round, Daniels immediately looked like a Jeff Ulbrich favorite in the making giving his length, physicality, and coverage ability, which led me to believe he’d be very much in the mix for a starting job. The Falcons now have talented young depth behind him with Christian Harris (who he outdueled for the starting job) and rookie Harold Perkins Jr., plus veteran Josh Woods, but I’m willing to bet Daniels will fare well minus some inevitable rookie hiccups. He was extremely impressive in training camp and preseason.
The other interesting note from this depth chart? While it’s little surprise that Zachariah Branch is listed as the team’s punt returner, Brian Robinson Jr. being the kick returner was not set in stone. If Tyler Goodson is flexed to the active roster, I’ll be interested to see if he gets a look there, but it’s worth noting that Robinson averaged nearly 30 yards per return in 2025 with the 49ers. Atlanta’s often moribund return game should get a boost from him and Branch.
Congratulations to both rookies, and I’m excited to see them out there against the Steelers.
