One practice into training camp, Zachariah Branch had already made the Falcons’ decision at wide receiver a lot harder.
The rookie third-rounder has been the name generating the most buzz all summer, and he backed it up again after turning heads during OTAs and mandatory minicamp. In his first training camp practice, Branch hauled in a gorgeous 45-yard touchdown from Michael Penix Jr. in 7-on-7 work, with A.J. Terrell and Jessie Bates closest to the play.
That kind of flash is exactly why Branch has been impossible to ignore. The 22-year-old has shown he can stretch the field as a deep threat, a dimension that hadn’t really been on display since his USC days. At the same time, he still brings the gadget ability that makes him such a dangerous fit in this offense.
What makes the early push even more notable is that Branch wasn’t working with the Falcons’ first-team offense during team periods. That group featured Drake London, Jahan Dotson, and Olamide Zaccheus, who is currently running with the starters. But that setup may not last long if Branch keeps stacking days like this.
The Falcons have enough high-end talent to make it tough for anyone else to break through, especially with players like London, Bijan Robinson, and Kyle Pitts on the field. Even so, Branch has already separated himself as one of the biggest standouts in camp.
The receiver battle appears headed toward a competition between Branch and Zaccheus for the slot role. For now, the coaching staff is giving the rookie the usual treatment early in camp, but Branch’s first impression has been strong enough to put real pressure on the depth chart.
Zaccheus brings more proven NFL production, but Branch’s upside is the bigger draw. He may be undersized, but his 4.35 speed jumps off the tape and gives the Falcons another explosive weapon.
If Branch keeps delivering highlight plays through the rest of camp and into the preseason, it would not be a surprise to see him earn more snaps and possibly take the starting job from Zaccheus. For now, he’s already done enough to make the slot conversation one of the most interesting battles on the roster.
In Other News...
Falcons Bring Back A Familiar Face As Another Defender Gets Cut
The Falcons made a familiar roster move this week, turning back to a linebacker they already know well as they continue sorting out the bottom end of the defense and special teams. Josh Woods is back in the mix after previously spending time in Atlanta, and his return gives the team another experienced option in a role that often comes down to reliability, familiarity and the ability to handle multiple jobs.
The corresponding move opens up another question about how the Falcons want the rest of that room to look as camp and roster decisions keep coming. Woods brings the kind of depth teams value on special teams and at linebacker, while Atlanta also moved on from a defender who arrived only recently and came with the pedigree of a former early draft pick. [Read more 🡒]
Falcons Fans Never Expected Matt Ryan Back In This Conversation
The Falcons quarterback picture has gotten thin enough that even a familiar name has drifted back into the conversation. With Michael Penix Jr. and Tua Tagovailoa dealing with injuries, Atlanta is leaning on Cooper Rush and rookie Jack Strand, a depth chart that has pushed the team into uncomfortable territory and made every arm around camp worth a closer look.
Matt Ryan, now the Falcons president of football and long retired from playing, has been seen throwing at training camp, which only adds to the intrigue. Some around the team believe he still looks capable with the ball, but whether Ryan would actually consider putting the pads back on is another matter, and for Atlanta that uncertainty is what keeps this from being just a nostalgic camp note. [Read more 🡒]