Atlanta Falcons sign WR Zachariah Branch to rookie deal

The Falcons selected Branch with the No. 79 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.

May 07, 2026 at 08:34 PM

Senior Reporter

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — The Atlanta Falcons have officially signed wide receiver Zachariah Branch to his rookie deal.

Branch was drafted with the No. 79 overall pick in the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft. He joins a position group that includes Drake London, as well as new free agency signings Jahan Dotson and Olamide Zaccheaus.

Find everything you need to know about Branch below.

.@GeorgiaFootball WR Zachariah Branch racing in for a 4.36u 👀

2026 NFL Combine on @nflnetwork
Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/L7MbJKApWJ
— NFL (@NFL) February 28, 2026

Branch's rookie deal is estimated to be $7.09 million in total value, according to OverTheCap.com. He would carry a cap number of $1.28 million in 2026 before topping out at $2.25 million in 2029.

Height: 5-9

Weight: 177

Age: 22

School: University of Georgia

2025 stats: 10 starts out of 14 games played | 81 catches | 811 receiving yards | 10.0 yards per catch average | 6 touchdowns

Click to view complete college stats

Honors: Second Team All-SEC (2025), led the SEC in receptions

Quotes

Kevin Stefanski, Atlanta Falcons head coach: "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, NFL Network: "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."

Ian Cunningham, Atlanta Falcons general manager: "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."