Branch has earned rave reviews since he got to Atlanta and could potentially be the WR2 in Atlanta this season. Because of Kyle Pitts and Bijan Robinson, Branch could still be fourth on the team in targets if that happens, so he is more appealing in Dynasty leagues than he is in redraft. In Dynasty, we like him as a Round 2 rookie pick, while he is more of an end-of-draft dart throw in redraft. He is undersized with blazing speed and could be used more as a gadget player early in his career. Don't be surprised if he has a second-half surge in his rookie season and is better as a waiver wire add in redraft than a draft pick.
Branch (hamstring) doesn't have a designation for Sunday's contest at Pittsburgh, Tori McElhaney of the Falcons' official site reports.
Branch opened Week 1 prep with back-to-back limited sessions due to a hamstring injury, but a full session Friday has him in the clear to make his pro debut this weekend. It's unclear what kind of role can be expected of the rookie third-round pick on offense as he jostles for snaps behind position mates Drake London, Jahan Dotson and Olamide Zaccheaus, but Branch at least should get on the field as a punt returner.
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Falcons' Zachariah Branch: Stays limited Thursday
Rotowire
Branch (hamstring) remained limited at practice Thursday, Tori McElhaney of the Falcons' official site reports.
Branch has been a limited participant in consecutive practices to kick off Week 1 prep, but the rookie third-round pick still has a chance to avoid an injury designation if he can upgrade to full practice participation Friday as he looks to make his NFL debut Sunday against the Steelers. Branch is expected to fill a reserve role at wide receiver to begin his career, but he's penciled in as Atlanta's primary punt returner.
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Falcons' Zachariah Branch: Returns punt in preseason win
Rotowire
Branch returned a punt for 18 yards during the Falcons' 17-12 preseason win over the Dolphins on Friday.
Branch didn't see much action Friday, playing a total of four snaps (three on offense, one on special teams). However, his lone snap on special teams came as a punt returner, and he figures to see plenty of work as a returner in the upcoming season, especially if he doesn't get much playing time on offense behind Drake London, Jahan Dotson and Olamide Zaccheaus.
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Falcons' Zachariah Branch: Bound for Atlanta
Rotowire
The Falcons selected Branch in the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft, 79th overall.
Branch (5-foot-9, 177 pounds) started two seasons at USC before transferring to Georgia in 2025, where he broke out with a career-best 81 catches for 811 yards and six TDs across 14 games. The 22-year-old lacks size but boasts quick twitch and tremendous speed (4.35 second 40-yard dash), meaning the most natural areas for him to contribute at the NFL-level may be the slot or in a gadget role, as well as potentially in the return game -- a skill set that nicely complements WRs Drake London, Jahan Dotson and Olamide Zaccheaus. The extent of Branch's role as a rookie may be notably determined by how much chemistry he's able to develop with dueling QBs Michael Penix (ACL) and Tua Tagovailoa this offseason. Branch was arrested Sunday and is facing misdemeanor charges.
