The Atlanta Falcons announced on May 7 that they have signed linebacker Kendal Daniels to his rookie contract.
Daniels was selected with the No. 134 overall pick in the fourth round of the 2026 National Football League Draft. He joins a group of linebackers that includes Divine Deablo, Troy Andersen, JD Bertrand, and fellow rookie Harold Perkins Jr. The Falcons compete in the NFL’s NFC South division and are based in Atlanta, Georgia, according to the official website.
Daniels’ rookie deal is estimated at $5.18 million over its term, with a cap number starting at $1.08 million for 2026 and reaching up to $1.48 million by 2029. Daniels played college football at the University of Oklahoma and previously at Oklahoma State. In his most recent season, he started all 13 games, recorded 53 total tackles including nine for loss, and had a career total of 7.5 sacks.
Ian Cunningham, Atlanta Falcons general manager said: “Kendal, just coming from Oklahoma State as a former safety, he’s definitely a Brich (Jeff Ulbrich) guy. Fits those measurables and what he looks for and what we look for. Then going to OU and playing in the (Brent) Venables scheme, and you see him play all over the field, stacked and the apex and sometimes even the line deep. He’s a rare athlete. When you watch the tape, the movement, the length, the fluidity, he can do a lot of things for you on defense.” Dane Brugler from The Athletic said: “Daniels is a good-looking athlete with the range and movement skills to make plays at different levels of the field. Though some teams see him as a tweener, others believe he can provide value on subpackages and special teams.” Dante Fargnoli, Atlanta Falcons area scout said: “With Kendal, the versatility speaks for itself. On tape you see him playing safety Will nickel … Whatever you tell him whatever you coach him to do he’s going to be that whatever position you ask him to be he’s going to do that whatever weight you want him to be at he’s going to get there.”
Daniels has received several honors during his college career including Freshman All-American (Oklahoma State), Second Team All-Big 12 (2022), and Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the Year (2022).
The Atlanta Falcons began as an expansion team in 1965; they advanced twice to Super Bowl appearances—in both 1998 and again in 2016—and their mascot is Freddie the Falcon according to their official website.
Observers will watch how Daniels’ versatility impacts defensive schemes as he begins his professional career with Atlanta.
