2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report: WR Zachariah Branch, Georgia

Tyler Lawrence
13 minutes ago
4 min read

Name: Zachariah Branch

Position: Wide Receiver

School: University of Georgia

Height/Weight: 5’10”, 180 lbs

Class: Junior (2025 season)

Hometown: Las Vegas, NV

High School: Bishop Gorman High School

Recruiting Rank: 5-star recruit, #6 overall, #1 WR nationally in 2023 class (247Sports Composite)

Draft Projections (as of January 2026):

• Pro Football Network (PFSN Big Board, crawled January 21, 2026) → 2nd round, WR6 (#52 overall)

• PFF (Big Board, published January 12, 2026) → 2nd round, WR6 (#56 overall)

• NFL Draft Buzz (profile, updated January 15, 2026) → 1st-Late round, #6 WR (#49 overall)

• NFL.com (Senior Bowl prospects, published December 5, 2025) → Day 2 projection

• ESPN (Mel Kiper Big Board, updated January 16, 2026) → #23 overall (#4 WR)

• Consensus (NFL Mock Draft Database, updated January 21, 2026) → #50 overall (WR8 average)

Career Background

A five-star recruit and top wide receiver nationally, Zachariah Branch led Bishop Gorman High School to multiple state titles, earning Nevada Gatorade Player of the Year as a senior with 48 receptions for 1,094 yards and 20 TDs. He committed to USC, making an immediate impact as a true freshman in 2023 as a dynamic returner and receiver. Branch continued at USC in 2024 with solid production before transferring to Georgia, along with his brother, Zion Branch. In 2025, as a slot specialist, he posted 81 receptions for 811 yards and 6 TDs, adding return value in the Bulldogs’ offense. He declared for the 2026 NFL Draft on December 17, 2025, ready to transition to the pros.

Photo by Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Career Stats

• 2023 (Freshman, USC) → 31 rec/ 51 tar (60.8%), 320 yards (10.3 avg/rec), 2 TDs

• 2024 (Sophomore, USC) → 47 rec/ 78 tar (60.3%), 503 yards (10.7 avg/rec), 1 TD

• 2025 (Junior, Georgia) → 81 rec/ 93 tar (87.1%), 811 yards (10.0 avg/rec), 6 TDs

• Career Totals (3 Seasons) → 159 rec/ 222 tar (71.6%), 1,634 yards (10.3 avg/rec), 9 TDs

Advanced Stats (2025, PFF):

• PFF OFF Grade → 82.0 (top-30 among qualified FBS WRs)

• PFF RECV Grade → 82.6

• Snaps Wide 19.0%/SLOT 79.2%

• Yards After Catch → 634 (7.8 per reception/ 78% of total yardage)

• Missed Tackles Forced → 20 (0.25/rec)

• 5/8 contested catch (62.5%)

• Drops → 2 (2.4%)

• QB RTG → 124.5 (top-tier among qualified WRs)

Awards and Accolades

High School:

• Nevada Gatorade Player of the Year (2022)

• Five-star recruit

College:

• First-Team All-American return specialist (2023)

• Jet Award Winner (2023)

• All-SEC Honorable Mention (2025)

Character and Leadership

Branch stands out for his self-awareness and growth, as Georgia coach Kirby Smart expresses surprise at his maturity, noting how he quickly adapted to the program’s culture and became a model for consistency. Teammates like Gunner Stockton describe him as a “vibe setter” who uplifts the room with positive energy, while Branch credits coaches for teaching discipline that transformed his approach to the game. No disciplinary problems or off-field incidents appeared in reviews; media highlight his humility and focus. Academic details are sparse, with no major or GPA noted.

Injuries

Branch played all 12 games as a freshman in 2023 at USC without reported issues. In 2024, he took hard hits in the Utah State game that left him shaken but returned without missing time, with coaches monitoring for minor nicks. In 2025 at Georgia, a lower-body scare during a punt return in the opener against Clemson sidelined him briefly, described as cramps by coach Kirby Smart, but he returned the same game without further absences. He played the full season, showing resilience. The 2024 hits and 2025 scare raise slight flags for scouts on contact tolerance. No surgeries or chronic conditions documented, with full pre-draft participation expected.

Play Style

Branch thrives as a dynamic slot receiver who exploits mismatches with quick bursts and route savvy, turning short throws into explosive gains via elusiveness. His track speed stretches defenses horizontally, paired with soft hands that secure catches in motion. Suits RPO-heavy setups that scheme space; comps include Zay Flowers (quick-twitch YAC) or Tank Dell (return threat). Punt/kick returns add immediate value, though frame limits physicality.

Strengths

1. Quick-Twitch Burst — Explosive off line; generates instant separation in slot.

2. After-Catch Vision — Weaves through traffic; maximizes short gains.

3. Route Fluidity — Smooth hips snap breaks; manipulates zones effectively.

4. Return Dynamism — Field vision flips games; averages high yards per touch.

5. Hands Reliability — Plucks on the run; low drop rate under pressure.

Weaknesses

1. Frame Durability — Undersized for boundary; absorbs hits poorly.

2. Contested Reliability — Wins few 50/50s; drops rise in crowds.

3. Utilization — was used primarily as a gadget player on screens. Did not run a full route tree with Georgia, which questions his role in an NFL offense

4. Blocking Impact — Willing but overpowered; technique needs work.

5. Scheme Versatility — Slot specialist; unproven outside.

Photo by Steve Limentani/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty Images

Final Evaluation

Zachariah Branch ranks as a versatile WR8-9 in 2026, supplying slot quickness and return spark that could ignite special teams and short-pass games. PFN, PFF, and NFL Draft Buzz reports accentuate his YAC efficiency and ball security as core competencies, with added bulk unlocking more. Primed for motion-based offenses like Flowers or Dell, Branch offers Day 2 appeal—could revive Georgia’s draft output if traits mesh. He envisions as a multi-tool asset delivering gadget plays from the outset.