The Atlanta Falcons announced on May 7 that they have signed wide receiver Zachariah Branch to his rookie contract.
Branch was selected with the No. 79 overall pick in the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft. He will join a receiving group that includes Drake London and new free agent signings Jahan Dotson and Olamide Zaccheaus. The estimated value of Branch’s rookie deal is $7.09 million, with a cap number starting at $1.28 million in 2026 and reaching $2.25 million by 2029.
During his college career at the University of Georgia, Branch started in ten out of fourteen games during the 2025 season, recording 81 catches for 811 yards and six touchdowns, while averaging ten yards per catch. He was named Second Team All-SEC in 2025 and led the Southeastern Conference in receptions.
Head coach Kevin Stefanski said, “He really has a great schematic fit, also a great personal fit for what we believe in and how hard he works. Just a player that you can really line up all over the field. If you go back and watch his tape over the course of his different stops and the way he was utilized, I think there’s a ton of versatility there. Also, he provides value in the return game, which is no small thing.” Daniel Jeremiah from NFL Network said, “He’s at his best with the ball in his hands. He’s elusive and has dynamic long speed. He’s also electric as a kick returner. He was a track champion in high school and it shows on the field. Branch can make big plays out of simple throws, which will make him attractive to NFL offensive coordinators.” General manager Ian Cunningham said about Branch: “I think you get that when you sit across from Zachariah. You talk to him, you understand what he’s about, how passionate he is about this game. He loves this game and he loves to be out there and working in practice. Coaches appreciate those type of guys that bring it every single day.”
The Atlanta Falcons are based in Atlanta, Georgia; they compete as part of the National Football League’s NFC South division after beginning as an expansion team in 1965; Freddie the Falcon serves as their mascot; they have advanced to two Super Bowls (1998 and 2016), according to their official website.
Observers will be watching how quickly Branch adapts to professional play alongside established teammates as training camp approaches.