The Falcons are keeping an explosive player in the Peach State.
With the No. 79 overall pick in the third round, Atlanta has selected receiver Zachariah Branch out of Georgia.
Branch spent his first two collegiate seasons at USC before transferring to Georgia in 2025. He excelled as a returner as a freshman in 2023, taking a punt 75 yards for a touchdown and a kickoff 96 yards for a touchdown.
In 2025, he was a second-team All-SEC honoree after leading the conference in receptions. He finished the year with 81 catches for 811 yards with six TDs.
He will now join a group of offensive players that includes Bijan Robinson, Drake London, and Kyle Pitts.
Avieon Terrell followed his older brother, A.J. Terrell, in every step of the way. They both played at Westlake High School in Atlanta and then at Clemson. Now, they will play together with the Falcons.
Atlanta used the 48th overall to select Avieon Terrell, who will join his brother in the team’s secondary.
A.J. Terrell has played six seasons with the Falcons.
The brothers hugged and cried at a draft party, sharing an incredible moment.
Avieon started 31 consecutive games to finish his career, and he led the Tigers in passes defended as both a sophomore and junior. He had 28 pass breakups and three interceptions in three seasons.
The first set of photos from the New York Post showing Patriots coach Mike Vrabel and NFL reporter Dianna Russini at an adults-only resort in Sedona, Arizona was taken while Russini worked for The Athletic. The Athletic is now reviewing her reporting, after her resignation.
The latest set of photos from the New York Post was taken while she worked for ESPN. The question now becomes whether ESPN will be reviewing her reporting.
ESPN has declined comment in response to an email inquiry from PFT.
Here’s an example of reporting that could be scrutinized, regarding a situation that developed after March 2020, when the photos published earlier today were taken.
In May 2021, Russini reported that the Falcons “have discussed several offers for wide receiver Julio Jones, including an offer of a future first-round draft pick.” The report, under a headline that proclaimed “Atlanta Falcons have offer of a 1st-round pick for Julio Jones, sources say” created a clear impression that the Falcons had an offer in hand of a first-round pick for Jones.
Her report also downplayed the Titans’ chances of landing Jones, calling them a “long shot.” (At the time, Vrabel served as head coach of the Titans.)
Ultimately, the Titans acquired Jones and a 2023 sixth-round pick for a 2022 second-round pick and a 2023 fourth-round pick.
So how did the reporting potentially help the Titans? Putting out the word that the Falcons had been offered a first-round pick could have had a chilling effect on any team that may have been considering offering a second-round pick. Calling the Titans a “long shot” allowed them to maneuver quietly for Jones.
Given the relationship between Vrabel and Russini, it’s not crazy or reckless to wonder whether her reporting was directly or indirectly connected to the effort to help the Titans get Jones on the best possible terms. Which, of course, will bolster suspicions by Eagles fans that she had been working more recently with Vrabel to get Eagles receiver A.J. Brown on the best possible terms.
The point for now is that the newest photos directly relate to her time at ESPN. And that specific entanglement could explain why it took so long for ESPN to pay full attention to the story. In the end, its own credibility could be undermined by the reporting Russini did while working there.
Falcons edge rusher James Pearce has agreed to enter an intervention program that will allow him to avoid a trial on multiple felony charges related to a February incident with his ex-girlfriend.
Pearce attended a hearing in a Miami-Dade County courtroom on video to agree to participate in the six-month program. A report on Thursday morning indicated that Pearce’s legal team was negotiating the deal with prosecutors. His attorney Yale Sanford told ESPN that Pearce will participate in therapy sessions during the six-month period and that he is required to stay away from his ex-girlfriend in order to have the charges dropped.
Pearce was charged with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, fleeing and eluding police, and resisting an officer with violence as well as a misdemeanor count of stalking.
The NFL said that the case remains under review for possible discipline under the Personal Conduct Policy.
Defensive end James Pearce Jr., a first-round pick the Falcons acquired last year by trading the team’s first-round pick this year to the Rams, faces multiple felony charges resulting from an incident with his ex-girlfriend in February. Pearce could be in the process of resolving the situation.
Andy Slater of Fox Sports South Florida reports that Pearce’s lawyers are negotiating a deal that would result in the dismissal of all charges in exchange for participation in a program that includes therapy sessions and a six-month probation period.
Pearce had been formally charged with three felonies (aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, fleeing and eluding police, and resisting an officer with violence) and one misdemeanor (stalking). His lawyers have professed his innocence.
Pearce allegedly rammed the vehicle driven by WNBA player Rickea Jackson. He then allegedly resisted arrest, striking an officer as he drove away from the scene.
Jackson reportedly has agreed to the approach. The police officers who eventually apprehended Pearce also have reportedly agreed.
Resolution of the criminal charges would lead to the finalization of the NFL’s handling of the situation under the Personal Conduct Policy. The baseline punishment for domestic violence is a six-game suspension without pay. Aggravating circumstances could lengthen the suspension.
Pearce, who finished third in defensive rookie of the year voting last season, had 10.5 sacks in 2025.
