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 NFL Draft and will join a group of linebackers that includes Divine Deablo, Troy Andersen, JD Bertrand, and fellow rookie Harold Perkins Jr. His rookie deal is estimated at $5.18 million in total value, with a cap number starting at $1.08 million in 2026 and reaching $1.48 million by 2029.
Daniels stands at six feet five inches tall, weighs 242 pounds, and is 23 years old. He played college football at the University of Oklahoma where he started all thirteen games in the previous season, recording fifty-three tackles—nine for loss—and accumulating seven-and-a-half career sacks. His honors include being named Freshman All-American (Oklahoma State, 2022), Second Team All-Big 12 (2022), and Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the Year (2022).
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.”
The Atlanta Falcons compete in the National Football League’s NFC South division as an organization based in Atlanta since their founding as an expansion team in 1965; they have advanced twice to Super Bowl appearances—in both 1998 and again in 2016—and are represented by Freddie The Falcon as their mascot according to the official website.
Looking ahead with Daniels’ signing finalized before training camp begins this summer—the team aims for improved defensive performance with his addition.