Falcons Draft Pick Gets Emotional After Joining All-Pro Brother in Atlanta

The Atlanta Falcons did pretty well for themselves when they drafted cornerback A.J. Terrell with the 16th overall pick in the 2020 NFL draft.

The 27-year-old has was a second-team All-Pro his second season in the league, and he's established himself as one of the league's top CBs, recording 381 tackles, 61 passes defended, six interceptions, six forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery.

And now, the Falcons are hoping they struck lightning twice after they drafted A.J.'s younger brother Avieon Terrell with the 48th overall pick in the 2026 NFL draft on Friday.

After Avieon's selection was announced, he was seen sharing an emotional embrace with his brother and new teammate.

"How can you not feel some kind of emotion looking at that," ESPN analyst Louis Riddick asked. "You can see he older brother is so happy to be able to take the younger brother under his wing and kind of shepherd him right on into the league. They are going to be a duo, I believe, on the outside.

"… Avieon has played both the nickel and outside at Clemson. He'll probably move outside (in Atlanta). Bookend brothers - how cool is that?"

A two-time All-SEC selection, Avieon was one of the top CBs in the NCAA the last two years. He totaled 106 tackles, 21 passes defended, eight forced fumbles, four sacks, and two interceptions during that span.

Avieon and A.J. Terrell are just the eighth set of brothers to play on the same NFL team, and they're the 34th set of siblings to play in the NFL together.

The other brothers to play on the same team include Shaquill and Shaquem Griffin, Devin and Jason McCourty, Derek and T.J. Watt, Dan and Rob Gronkowski, Ryan and Matt Kalil, Champ and Boss Bailey, and Jordan and Carson Palmer.

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This story was originally published April 24, 2026 at 7:12 PM.