Falcons' Zachariah Branch Is Turning Heads at Training Camp

FLOWERY BRANCH – The Atlanta Falcons believe they have something in Zachariah Branch, and the early returns from training camp have done nothing to dampen those expectations for the rookie. 

The Falcons saw a player too talented to pass up, with the Georgia product dropping to them in the third round (12th wide receiver taken) despite finishing with 811 receiving yards and an SEC-leading 81 receptions during his lone season in Athens. Despite his output and outstanding measurables (4.35-second 40-yard dash and 20 reps of 225 pounds on the bench press), there were concerns about his diminutive frame and lack of a route tree coming out of college. 

Ian Cunningham was happy to take the chance on him, and whether it has come on the practice field or in front of the media, the rookie has done nothing but impress since. After many initially thought he would be relegated to a kick return/gadget role as a rookie, Branch has quickly raised the bar for what could come from his first professional season. 

“Zachariah, we continue to give a little bit more to each day,” Falcons head coach Kevin Stefanski said. “It goes back to really all these guys just trying to find roles for them as they earn them and trying to find different things that they can do that can help our offense or our defense. In this case with Zachariah, it's what routes do we feel like he can run really well, and then what personnel groupings do we want to get him in there. 

“He's earning that because he practices very hard, [and] is showing up in these drills. When you go to team drills and it's 11-on-11, he continues to show up.”

Branch is finding a role, ironically being utilized in one of the things that helped him drop to the Falcons back in April. The offense has spent much of the early weeks of camp working on its screen game, heavily utilizing both Branch and All-Pro running back Bijan Robinson.

This usage plays nicely into what the rookie does best, and that role will help him adjust to life in the NFL this season, even if he sees more for himself. Branch’s new teammates are learning firsthand how he can change a play once the ball touches his hands.

“He's very explosive – down the field, in the short game, catching the ball and transitioning into a runner,” Michael Penix Jr. explained about what makes Branch such a dangerous player. “With the ball in his hands, he’s definitely special. That's somebody we want to get the ball to a lot this year, so he's definitely been looking good.”

“That dude can be anywhere,” Tua Tagovailoa added during the first week of training camp. “You find him, he’s open. That dude, he’s fast. He can get away from guys. Great separation, great hands and great elusiveness when the ball’s in his hands.”

Branch has made an impression, but the early success comes as no surprise to Cash Jones. The other Georgia rookie on the Falcons’ roster this summer spent only one year with Branch, and his early impact was expected. 

Jones knew from “day one” that Branch was different, both on and off the field. The two met briefly, but he quickly learned that the former five-star wideout was much more than just a speedster.

“He’s a freak athlete, and he can be running at full speed and stop on a dot. He has great hands. He’s a super smart kid,” Jones said. “I’m super excited to see what happens this year for him.” 

Finding small improvements and carving out a role is paramount in the do-or-die NFL, whether that comes on offense or special teams. To this point, Branch has accomplished that and then some. 

The next test comes Friday night, when Branch will make his preseason debut at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. For a rookie who has spent the first week of camp expanding expectations, it will be his first chance to show that the hype can translate to game action.

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