The Atlanta Falcons have officially signed sixth-round pick Anterio Thompson to his rookie contract after the former Washington Huskies defensive lineman wrapped up a collegiate career that included stops at four different programs.
The Atlanta Falcons have officially signed defensive lineman Anterio Thompson to his rookie contract after selecting him with the 208th overall pick in the sixth round of the 2026 NFL Draft.
The 23-year-old took a unique path through four different college programs before reaching the NFL. He started at Iowa Western Community College in 2022, totaling 32 tackles and six sacks across 12 games.
He then transferred to University of Iowa in 2023, appearing in seven games primarily on special teams while tying for third in the FBS with two blocked kicks.
In 2024, he moved to Western Michigan University, where he started 12 of 13 games and posted 34 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, one sack, two pass breakups, and another blocked kick.
He wrapped up his collegiate career at the University of Washington in 2025, playing in all 13 games with two starts while recording 30 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, and two pass breakups before being selected in the 2026 NFL Draft.
According to NFL.com Draft Analyst Lance Zierlein evaluated Thompson as “ a slightly undersized but explosive interior defender with the potential to take snaps as both a 1- and 3-technique in a one-gapping scheme.” Zielein also believes that he has yet to reach his potential inside the game of football. He says that Thompson “hasn’t learned to convert his athletic ability into a more consistent rush, but he certainly could do that in time.”
Although he may be seen as an undersized defensive lineman at the professional level, he exceeded expectations during testing. Thompson measured at a 9.36 RAS (Relative Athletic Score), ranking him just outside the top 100 of all defensive linemen to be tested since 1987.
The former Huskies defender will wear jersey number 98 for the Falcons, and according to OverTheCap.com, his signed rookie deal is $4.39 million total that will go through the 2029 season.
He enters a defensive line room featuring returning contributors Brandon Dorlus, Zach Harrison, and LaCale London, while also adding to a revamped group that includes newcomers Maason Smith and Da'Shawn Hand.
With the signing of Thompson and cornerback Avieon Terrell, all six players in the Falcons 2026 draft class have now been signed for the upcoming year.