With all the attention going to the Atlanta Falcons' non-existent quarterback competition, their rookie class of 2026 flew almost completely under the radar over the summer. That will likely change starting this week now that the regular season has finally arrived.
The team's top pick this year was second-rounder Avieon Terrell, who will be starting at the nickel position right away. Atlanta's next selection was used on former Georgia wide receiver Zachariah Branch, who's listed second in the slot behind veteran Olamide Zaccheaus.
Branch may not stay No. 2 on the depth chart for long, though. ESPN NFL insider Dan Graziano sees Branch carving out a specific role for himself as a rookie.
"The Falcons have their own exciting third-round receiver in Zachariah
Branch, who could carve out a specific role as a gadget player and run-after-catch guy, especially on Tua Tagovailoa dink-and-dunk passes. Branch could make an impact as a return specialist at minimum."
That gadget/line of scrimmage type of role is similar to what he did most of the time in college - and Tagovailoa's skillet will play into what Branch can do in this department. We also saw flashes of Branch's ability as a burner in training camp, taking the top off of the defense more than once.
However, the former third-round pick was limited on the team's Wednesday injury report with a sore hamstring. Keep an eye on his status entering Sunday's season opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: ESPN insider has one Falcons rookie on breakout watch
