With teams on their month-long break from mid-June to mid-July in between minicamp and training camp, we’ve reached the deadest point of the NFL offseason.
But fortunately for football fans, there’s just three weeks left before training camp kicks off, followed by the preseason and regular season, which starts the week of Sept. 7.
Until then, we’ve done training camp previews and analyzed the top position battle to watch for all 32 teams. Next up in our offseason series is looking at one rookie from every team who could win a starting job in training camp this season, and today we’re looking at the Atlanta Falcons.
Atlanta’s 2026 Draft Class
- Avieon Terrell, CB, Round 2
- Zachariah Branch, WR, Round 3
- Kendal Daniels, LB, Round 4
- Anterio Thompson, DT, Round 6
- Harold Perkins Jr., LB, Round 6
- Ethan Onianwa, OT, Round 7
Outside of star receiver Drake London and tight end Kyle Pitts, the Falcons’ best pass-catching threat last season was running back Bijan Robinson, who logged 79 catches, 820 yards, and four touchdowns.
No other Falcons receiver had more than 32 catches or 443 yards. The team has some depth options to choose from with Jahan Dotson, Olamide Zaccheaus, and Dylan Drummond, but the best option to replace Darnell Mooney is rookie third-round pick Zachariah Branch.
The 22-year-old wideout had two up-and-down seasons at USC before transferring to Georgia last year. With the Bulldogs, Branch had a breakout season, totaling 81 receptions, 811 yards, and six touchdowns.
Branch is a speedster. He ran a 4.35 in the 40-yard dash, which makes him a home-run threat every time he touches the ball who excels at racking up the yards after the catch. Branch also excels when given quick touches via screens or trick plays, which allow him to use his speed in space to separate from defenders.
Given Atlanta’s need for a playmaker opposite London, Branch is a safe bet to seize an opportunity in training camp to take it.