Falcons rookie ready to steal starting job right away

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London is an undeniable star, even if he hasn't made a Pro Bowl team yet. However, the other members of the team's wide receiver room are either unproven or never proved themselves in the first place. In fact, ESPN still ranks outside receiver as this team's biggest roster hole coming out of the draft.

The Falcons used their third-round pick this year on Georgia wide receiver Zachariah Branch, who should be able to rise up the depth chart rather quickly. Justin Melo at NFL Draft on SI believes he will wind up starting as a rookie.

"Zachariah Branch set Georgia's single-season record for receptions with 81 catches in 2025. That volume prepared him to make an immediate impact on the Atlanta Falcons' roster. Their offseason depth chart currently lists Jahan Dotson and Olamide Zaccheaus as starters in 11 personnel opposite Drake London. One of Dotson or Zaccheaus should quickly be supplanted by Branch. The former hasn't had more than 19 receptions in back-to-back years."

Branch may be undersized for an NFL receiver, but he comes with elite speed and is a threat to score every time he touches the ball in space. Branch should end up in the starting lineup and will also have a clearly-defined role right away in the slot.

That's more than we can say for Dotson or Zaccheaus, who as far as we can tell was signed primarily because Matt Ryan had his phone number. We still don't have any idea why they gave Dotson $10 million guaranteed.