Zachariah Branch may be sitting fourth on the Falcons’ Week 1 depth chart, but that doesn’t tell the whole story about how Atlanta plans to use him.
The rookie receiver flashed early in OTAs and at the start of training camp, then settled into the background once the pads came on. That quieter stretch has kept Olamide Zaccheus ahead of him all summer, and Branch opened the season listed as WR4 behind Zaccheus. On paper, that looks like a setback for a third-round pick taken 79th overall just a few months ago.
In reality, it may just be a reflection of how the Falcons want to deploy him.
Branch is not built like the rest of the receivers in this room. He’s more explosive and more versatile, and Atlanta’s coaching staff knows it. Even if he isn’t in the starting lineup, his skill set should make it easy for him to get on the field while he works toward becoming the WR3.
The likely base look still points to Drake London and Jahan Dotson in two-receiver sets, with London, Dotson, and Zaccheus in three-wide formations. But Branch brings something different, and that gives him a lane to contribute right away.
The Falcons also don’t have a deep receiver rotation to sort through. There are really only four wideouts in the mix for every-down roles, which means Branch is one injury away from being a true starter. And the player blocking him now is a receiver with just one 500-yard season in his career, so his time with the second unit may not last long.
Kevin Stefanski and Tommy Rees also know how Mike Bobo used Branch at Georgia, where he worked more as a gadget player. That history suggests Atlanta already has specialized packages in mind to get him on the field early and put the ball in his hands.
He’ll also be the primary return man, giving him another clear path to impact. And with a broader route tree than he had last year, Branch should have more chances to matter beyond gadget touches.
So while the depth chart says WR4, the Falcons’ plans for Branch sound much bigger than that. The production may not arrive overnight, but Atlanta clearly intends to keep him involved and let that summer promise show up in real games.
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