The Atlanta Falcons are on the board in the 2026 NFL Draft! With their 48th overall pick in the second round, new GM Ian Cunningham has decided to draft cornerback Aveion Terrell, the brother of current Falcons cornerback AJ Terrell.
Avieon dealt with a hamstring issue that might have affected his stock a bit, but a lot of projections had him as a first-round talent. He played collegiate football at the University of Clemson. In three seasons at Clemson, Terrell recorded 125 combined tackles, nine tackles for loss, and three interceptions. At 5-11, 190 pounds, the Falcons can use Avieon Terrell in a variety of ways.
More NFL on Heavy: New James Pearce Jr. Report Surfaces Before NFL Draft
CLEMSON, SOUTH CAROLINA – NOVEMBER 08: Avieon Terrell #8 of the Clemson Tigers reacts after a play during the second half of a football game against the Florida State Seminoles at Memorial Stadium on November 08, 2025 in Clemson, South Carolina. (Photo by David Jensen/Getty Images)
Falcons Draft Cornerback Avieon Terrell
Per NFL.com’s prospect grade, Avieon Terrell grades out at a ‘6.39’, which has the tag of ‘will eventually will be a plus starter’.
With the departure of Dee Alford in NFL free agency, Terrell will likely be a day-one starter for the Falcons, playing across from his older brother.
He didn’t run a 40-yard dash at any pro days or the NFL combine due to the hamstring issue, which again, could be the reason he slipped to No. 48, because a lot of big boards had Avieon Terrell as a top-50 prospect.
Avieon has a solid list of accolades during his time at Clemson. In 2024, he was named to Second-Team All-ACC and led the Tigers with 12 pass breakups. In that same season, he also started 14 games, recorded 4.5 tackles for loss, two interceptions, and one sack.
That productive season led to Terrell likely trailing all opponents’ best receivers, and his development led to an even better 2025 season, where Terrell was named to First-Team All-ACC, and tied a Clemson single-season record for most forced fumbles (5) in a season. In 2025, he also recorded three sacks, 4.5 tackles for loss, and nine pass break-ups.
It’s a solid pick for the Falcons, and one that should help their secondary for years to come.
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – DECEMBER 07: Avieon Terrell #20 of the Clemson Tigers celebrates after a pass defense during the fourth quarter of the 2024 ACC Football Championship at Bank of America Stadium on December 07, 2024 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
More on Falcons’ Pair of Terrell Brothers at Defensive Back
GettyGLENDALE, ARIZONA – DECEMBER 21: A.J. Terrell Jr. #24 of the Atlanta Falcons knocks a pass away from Marvin Harrison Jr. #18 of the Arizona Cardinals during the fourth quarter at State Farm Stadium on December 21, 2025 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
Avieon’s brother, AJ, was a first-round draft pick by the Atlanta Falcons in 2020. AJ Terrell will be entering his seventh NFL season, all with the Falcons.
He’s already received a lucrative contract extension after a solid first four years in the NFL.
AJ Terrell has played a total of 93 games in his six-year career and has six interceptions, 381 total tackles, 14 tackles for loss, and 61 pass deflections.
He’s been a staple in the Falcons secondary since 2020 and figures to be a big part of this team’s defense in 2026. Hopefully, some of those stats will rub off on his brother, Avieon, who will forge his own path in the NFL.
The Falcons having a pair of brothers in the NFL on the same team is one of those feel-good storylines that Falcons fans will be able to hold onto for the long wait until the 2026 season, which begins in September.
More NFL on Heavy: Falcons’ Biggest Draft Risk Looks Even Worse One Year Later
Atlanta Falcons Select Avieon Terrell in Second Round of NFL Draft