Potential 49ers Day 2 target arrested, faces 2 misdemeanor charges

The San Francisco 49ers could very well be eyeing Georgia wide receiver Zachariah Branch if he's available on Day 2 of the NFL draft, but an arrest on two misdemeanor charges in Athens, Ga. less than a week before the draft could impact his stock.

According to ESPN, Branch was booked at 1:26am on Sunday morning before being released at 3:44am after he posted a $39 bond. The former Georgia wide receiver was in Athens for Georgia' Spring Game. He's facing two misdemeanor charges including obstructing public sidewalks/streets - prowling, and obstruction of a law enforcement officer.

NFL Media's Tom Pelissero had details from the police report on Twitter:

A male, later identified as Zacharia Branch, continued to stand on the sidewalk without making an attempt to move. I continued to give Zacharia Branch verbal commands to move from blocking the sidewalk and advised that if he did not, he would receive a citation for blocking the sidewalk. Zacharia Branch smirked, then stepped backwards and to the right, then remained standing upon the public sidewalk, so as to obstruct, hinder, and impede free passage upon the sidewalk as well as impede free ingress/egress to or from the adjacent places of business. Due to those actions and Zacharia Branch’s failure to comply with multiple verbal lawful commands, he was placed under arrest for misdemeanor Obstruction of LEO and received a citation for Obstructing Public Sidewalks.

It appears Branch was arrested for standing on a public sidewalk and then not moving far enough when he did finally move. Such an arrest shouldn't be one that factors much into Branch's draft stock.

Branch is an intriguing potential fit with the 49ers. His blazing play speed showed up via his 4.35 40-yard dash at the NFL combine. His quickness and movement skills at 5-8, 177 pounds are also enticing for a club that desperately needs a speed element on offense. Branch, according to Pro Football Focus, averaged 8.0 yards after catch per reception in his three-year college career. That ability to make plays with the ball in his hands would bring the YAC element back that has been missing. His recent arrest shouldn't change their minds.