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NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JANUARY 01: Zachariah Branch #1 of the Georgia Bulldogs celebrates a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Ole Miss Rebels during the 2025 College Football Playoff Quarterfinal at the Allstate Sugar Bowl at Caesars Superdome on January 01, 2026 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
The Atlanta Falcons are addressing items of need in the 2026 NFL draft. After selecting cornerback Avieon Terrell with the No. 48 pick in the second round, new Falcons’ Ian Cunningman decided to address the offense with his next selection, which is wide receiver Zachariah Branch out of the University of Georgia.
Atlanta had a strong need at the receiver position after the Ray Ray McCloud drama, and Darnell Mooney’s regression hurt the position group. The Falcons, of course, already have one of the best WR1’s in the NFL with Drake London, but the addition of Zachariah Branch will bring some versatility. He was arrested earlier this week in Athens, GA, on small charges, which didn’t hinder his stock too much. Branch is a big-time gadget guy, and it gives Atlanta another weapon on the outside, and a player that could potentially be used in a special teams role.
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INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – FEBRUARY 28: Zachariah Branch of the Georgia Bulldogs participates in a drill during the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 28, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
Zachariah Branch was one of the best wide receivers that the Georgia Bulldogs have seen in some years, likely since the George Pickens era.
Before transferring to UGA before the 2025 season, Branch spent time at the University of Southern California, where he was a standout receiver. He broke out in 2024 when he hauled in 47 catches for 503 yards and one touchdown.
During his one season with the Georgia Bulldogs, Branch flourished in Mike Bobo’s system, which can be notorious for slip screens. Those slip screens out in the flat propelled Branch to another breakout season by bringing in 81 catches for 811 yards and six touchdowns. Perhaps what aided his stock the most in the one season at Georgia was emerging as a redzone threat and a dependable receiver on third down.
Branch ran a 4.35 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine, which tipped many scouts to the breakaway speed he has when given space on the outside. He had several moments at UGA, where it appeared as if he would be brought out, but somehow evaded tackles to gain extra yards.
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GettyNEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JANUARY 01: Zachariah Branch #1 of the Georgia Bulldogs celebrates a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Ole Miss Rebels during the 2025 College Football Playoff Quarterfinal at the Allstate Sugar Bowl at Caesars Superdome on January 01, 2026 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
Look, there are certainly fair questions to ask about Zachariah Branch and his NFL ability, given his size as a wide receiver (5’10, 180 pounds), and how that will translate when there are bigger, faster defenders guarding him.
However, given the Falcons quarterback situation, the offense should change a bit to fit some of Branch’s needs, which should include Tua Tagovailoa getting the ball out quickly to Zachariah Branch in space, and letting him do the work from there.
Per his NFL.com prospect and draft breakdown account, he is labeled as a ‘6.32 prospect grade, ‘ which means the projection shows he will eventually become a plus starter.
For this Falcons team, it will be interesting to see how many snaps Branch receives as a rookie. Atlanta added Jahan Dotson and reunited with Olamide Zaccheus in NFL free agency.
Both of those receivers have a little more snaps and years under their belt (obviously), but it’s fair to assume that Branch will be given the opportunity to win a starting job in training camp.
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