Falcons sign Georgia WR to $7 million deal

The Atlanta Falcons have signed Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver Zachariah Branch to a four-year contract following the 2026 NFL draft. Branch was selected with the No. 79 pick in the third-round of the draft.

Branch was one of eight Georgia players selected in the draft. Georgia rookies in the NFL are expected to sign over $70 million in NFL contracts before the 2026 season.

Branch brings quickness and the ability to pick up yardage after the catch to the Falcons. He set the school single season receptions record during his only season at Georgia. Branch was easily Georgia's most reliable pass catcher in 2025 and will be a treat for Falcons fans to watch in 2026. Branch, a former five-star recruit, spent the first two seasons of his college career with the USC Trojans.

Atlanta and Branch agreed to a deal worth approximately $7.06 million. Branch will be paid $1.28 million in 2026.

New Falcons head coach Kevin Stefanski thinks Branch will be a good fit with Atlanta. The Falcons already have two big-bodied, established NFL veterans in their receiving core (tight end Kyle Pitts and wide receiver Drake London). Branch could be the Falcons' third- or fourth-option in the passing game behind those two and star running back Bijan Robinson.

"He really has a great schematic fit, also a great personal fit for what we believe in and how hard he works," Stefanski said. "Just a player that you can really line up all over the field. If you go back and watch his tape over the course of his different stops and the way he was utilized, I think there's a ton of versatility there. Also, he provides value in the return game, which is no small thing."