Zachariah Branch to Falcons, Fans React to New WR Target for Tua Tagovailoa, Penix in 2026 NFL Draft

The Atlanta Falcons added another weapon for either Tua Tagovailoa or Michael Penix Jr. next season, drafting Georgia wideout Zachariah Branch with the No. 79 overall pick (third round) at Friday's NFL draft.

Branch was ranked as the No. 65 prospect overall on the B/R NFL Scouting Department's final big board and the No. 14 wideout.

Fans and pundits reacted to the selection:

B/R's Damian Parson called Branch "one of the most dynamic athletes in the NFL draft" in his scouting report, adding that he's "lightning in a bottle and a dangerous playmaker out in space. Branch excels with quick touches where he makes defenders miss out in the open field for yards after the catch."

He doesn't have great size or catch radius, however, and may struggled to win one-on-one matchups out wide. He's probably best utilized as a slot receiver or gadget weapon, but in that role he can change games with one touch.

The Falcons have a few weapons like that, including Drake London and Bijan Robinson. The team added Jahan Dotson and Olamide Zaccheaus at receiver in the offseason, but Branch should have a very real chance to carve out a role for himself immediately in Atlanta.

Certainly, new head coach Kevin Stefanski and whoever wins the quarterback battle has another fun weapon to work with in Branch.