Zachariah

Branch

Branch’s primary duties still come on kick and punt returns, but Kevin Stefanski made it a point to get him more involved this week. He was held without a catch or even a target in Week 1. Branch isn’t on the fantasy radar yet, but dynasty managers can be pleased with his role taking a step in the right direction.

On one hand, no targets is bad. On the other hand, Branch played one more snap than Olamide Zaccheaus and ran only three fewer routes. This is not a passing attack that you want pieces of right now, but there is a chance that Branch could take the WR3 role by the middle of the season.

Branch was limited by the hamstring issue for the first two practices of the week. He got up to a full practice on Friday and was cleared for Week 1. Branch will likely see a few designed touches in his NFL debut, but fantasy managers will want to wait until he overtakes Olamide Zaccheaus on the depth chart before getting him into their lineups.

The Falcons’ third-round rookie wide receiver could end up playing this week, but his inability to practice fully will keep him in a pure backup role. Branch does not need to be rostered in 12-team leagues.

Branch ran behind Olamide Zaccheaus for most of training camp. A light workload in practice heading into Week 1 all but guarantees he won’t threaten the veteran receiver for a starting role to open the year. Branch isn’t on the fantasy radar for his NFL debut versus the Steelers.

According to Kendall, “everyone in Atlanta can see” Branch’s ascension. The diminutive rookie has been “a standout in Atlanta from the moment he stepped on the practice field.” Zaccheaus is still taking most of the first-team snaps, so Branch may have to continue fighting for the starting role in-season. That said, the coaching staff plans to line up Branch at all three wide receiver spots. Obvious questions remain regarding Branch’s ability to play in the NFL at 5'10/180, but the youngster bench-pressed 225 pounds 20 times at the NFL Combine, so his strength is not in question. Even if Branch assumes a starting role, it will probably be tough for Branch to reliably return FLEX value, earning targets behind WR Drake London, TE Kyle Pitts and RB Bijan Robinson, but showing up with a few big performances is possible.

Branch was a screen game dominator in college, with speed to spare. Raimondi thinks the Falcons will attempt to replicate his Georgia game early on, but Branch has a chance to become “the No. 3 guy, maybe even the No. 2 guy at some point.” Falcons WRs Jahan Dotson and Olamide Zaccheaus sit in those two spots. Branch is unlikely to contribute meaningfully in fantasy early in the year, but he is worth keeping an eye on in-season.

It’s not really a stretch when you consider Jahan Dotson and Olamide Zaccheaus are the two other receivers behind Drake London that are competing for real time on the Falcons. Branch isn’t exactly a lock to be fantasy-relevant as a rookie, but if he shows more than expected, the door is wide open for him in Atlanta.

Branch was highly effective on manufactured touches at Georgia and the Falcons could use a wideout who specializes in YAC. He stayed after practices to get extra reps on the jugs machine and got reps as both a kick and punt returner. Those may not have direct impacts on his fantasy value, but it can’t hurt to see him doing the little things every day. He will likely top out as the team’s third receiver to start the year. That role could quickly grow if he outshines Jahan Dotson and Olamide Zaccheaus.

Branch played 77.9 percent of his college snaps from the slot, per PFF, and at 5-foot-9, 177 pounds, it’s widely believed he will see most of his work in the slot as a pro. Despite this belief, Stefanski praised his rookie receiver for his versatility and ability to line up anywhere on the field, suggesting the Falcons could look to utilize him in multiple ways this season. After Drake London, the Falcons’ receiving depth gets very thin. Veterans Jahan Dotson and Olamide Zaccheaus currently project as the team’s other two starting receivers, but Branch, a third-round pick in this year’s draft, could look to unseat either vet in camp to earn some early playing time. Branch caught 81 passes for 811 yards and six touchdowns last season at Georgia, setting career-highs in every receiving metric.