From now until the 2026 NFL Draft, we will scout and create profiles for as many prospects as possible, examining their strengths, weaknesses and what they can bring to an NFL franchise. These players could be potential top-10 picks, all the way to Day 3 selections and priority undrafted free agents. Today, a scouting report on Georgia WR Zachariah Branch.
No. 1 Zachariah Branch/WR Georgia 5010/180 (Third-year Junior)
Measurements
| Player | Ht/Wt | Hand Size | Arm Length | Wingspan |
| Zachariah Branch | 5010/180 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 40-Yard Dash | 10-Yard Dash | Short Shuttle | 3-Cone | |
| N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | |
| Broad Jump | Vertical | Bench Press | ||
| N/A | N/A | N/A |
The Good
– Human joystick ability with explosive acceleration and linear velocity
– Lightning quick and threatening long speed that draws schematic attention
– Strong for his size and capable of navigating through traffic
– Excellent body control that can contort his body and adjust to the catch
– Shows unpredictable timing in his routes that can create separation
– Impressive “stop-start” ability that can throw defenders off him
– Able to deceive coverage by acting lackadaisical before receiving the ball as a safety valve
– Hands catcher who secures the ball away from his frame
– Good body control to catch in traffic
– Dynamic YAC ability
– Superb vision and spatial awareness when navigating tight spaces
– Tough runner with good contact balance
– Immediate special teams contributor as a returner
The Bad
– Smaller stature at 5’10, 180 pounds that can affect how he absorbs contact
– Limited catch radius that requires greater accuracy from the quarterback
– Struggles in contested catch scenarios
– Many touches were manufactured in the screen game
– Vulnerable against more physical corners attempting to jab him in press
– Routes are rounded, which allows corners to stay in his hip pocket
– Jumps unnecessarily when going for the ball
– Limited route exposure
Stats
– 2025 receiving stats: 81 catches, 811 yards, 6 TD, 10 yards per reception
– 2025 return stats: 15 punt returns, 180 yards, 10 kick returns, 205 yards
– Career receiving stats: 159 catches, 1634 yards, 9 touchdowns, 10.3 yards per reception
– Career return stats: 44 punt returns, 586 yards, 1 touchdown, 39 kick returns, 752 yards, 1 touchdown
– USC career receiving stats: 78 catches, 823 yards, 3 touchdowns, 10.6 yards per reception
– USC career return stats: 29 punt returns, 406 yards, 1 touchdown, 29 kick returns, 547 yards, 1 touchdown
Injury History
– Dealt with an undisclosed injury suffered vs. Arizona State that forced him to miss two games (2023)
– Missed a scrimmage game in spring due to a hamstring strain (2025)
– Endured a lower-body non-contact injury against Marshall but didn’t miss any time (2025)
Background
– Born March 29, 2004 (21 years old)
– Consensus 5-star recruit out of Bishop Gorman
– Team Captain at the Under Armour All America Game
– Participated in track, where he was a state champion in the 100-meter dash (10.33 seconds)
– Also did long jump and triple jump
– Track and Field Gatorade Player of the Year
– 3.16 GPA in high school
– Freshman All-American and first-team honoree as a return specialist (2023)
– First-team All-SEC as a return specialist and all-purpose (2025)
– Broke Georgia’s single-season record for receptions (2025)
– Transferred to Georgia in search of a “championship culture” and “real brotherhood”
– Homeschooled up until high school
– His bedroom was painted with chalk paint so he could record his goals on the walls
– Plays chess with his brother, wagering push-ups and sit-ups for the loser
– Recorded a video of him hitting 26 mph on the treadmill
– Plans to pursue a career in dermatology after football
– Great-nephew of Hall of Famer Cliff Branch
– Plays piano and has an interest in theatre and acting
Tape Breakdown
Branch is among the most dynamic and explosive playmakers in this draft class. His stop-start ability and lateral movement are lightning quick, making him dangerous after the catch. At Georgia, he had extensive experience obtaining quick-manufactured touches that enabled him to do what he does best. Even in tight spaces, his movement and vision are top-notch, allowing him to make virtually anybody miss.
Despite a smaller stature, Branch is a tough catcher in traffic. In 50-50 situations, he’s limited due to his size and catch radius, but when he is making a difficult catch over the middle, he’s able to absorb the contact to hang on. There are times when he’ll jump unnecessarily, which adds avoidable impact and is a habit he must learn to break.
His route running is still a work in progress. I wouldn’t necessarily define it as raw, though. Branch simply lacks the exposure of running more complicated route trees. When presented with the opportunity to run beyond the designed touch, he has demonstrated an impressive ability to find open space and create separation. Given his limited number of repetitions, further refinement is needed. I’d like to see him sharpen his routes more to manipulate the defensive backs, but he does get open when asked to.
An additional strength of his game is his contributions as a returner. The explosiveness that he possesses from a standstill position is magical. His elusiveness and ability to maintain top speed while moving laterally make him a home-run threat any time that he touches the ball. He is likely to be a starting returner on Day 1.
Conclusion
In a class that is considered to have a few heavy hitters, Branch has begun to fly under the radar. He won’t be a 1-on-1 dominator at the next level initially, but the talent that he possesses oozes a matchup nightmare for defenses. The explosiveness and speed he generates are skills that can’t be taught. He knows how to use his gifts to his advantage as well, with his remarkable ability to make people miss.
Because a lot of his touches are manufactured, many believe he is no more than a gadget weapon in the NFL. That is very far from the case. He needs refinement in certain areas of his game, but he can generate separation with his raw ability. When he learns the technicalities of the position, he can rise to be among the most dangerous weapons in the league.
His hands are underrated as well. Despite a smaller frame, he is tough in contested catch situations and has surprisingly soft hands. He will need to do better at taking unnecessary hits, but there is much to like about his game on Day 1.
His size and frame, along with his explosiveness, compare closely to those of a rookie-year Tank Dell. Dell was considered more polished out of Houston, but he had more opportunities to showcase his route running. Branch has the talent to make a similar impact immediately.
NFL Draft Projection: Early Day 2
Steelers Depot Draft Grade: 8.3 ST (Long-term Starter)
Grade Range: 7.8 – 8.6
Games Watched: vs. Alabama (2025, 1st matchup), @ Florida (2025), vs. Texas (2025), @ Georgia Tech (2025), @ Alabama (2025, 2nd matchup), vs. Ole Miss (2025, 2nd matchup)
