5 way-too-early NFL fits for Georgia speedster Zachariah Branch

While many in Dawg Nation were hoping for one more year Between the Hedges for the guy, it was just not meant to be. Speedy wide receiver Zachariah Branch has become the latest former Georgia star to declare for the 2026 NFL Draft. He joins defensive lineman Christen Miller in that regard. There will surely be more and more Georgia players who decide to echo their sentiments by turning pro, too.

ESPN's Pete Thamel was all over the announcement of Branch opting to end his college career today.

Branch came to Athens along with his brother Zion Branch in the transfer portal last winter by way of USC. While his talent was always there, folks over in Los Angeles were not sad to see him go. Branch may have only spent one year at Georgia, but he became Gunner Stockton's go-to target in the passing game. He was mostly used in the short game, but he was dynamic with the ball in his hands.

With all offseason to get our heads around where he could go, these five teams make sense for him.

5. New York Jets

There is no way around it. The New York Jets need a ton of help. Aaron Glenn's first year as their head coach was such an unmitigated disaster. Their offense went nowhere, no matter who was playing quarterback for them. Not only did they finish in the basement of the AFC East, but they became the first team in the modern era of the NFL to not record a single interception on defense. Unbelievable!

While Branch is not going to help Gang Green in that regard, his ability to make plays in space could be huge to whoever is running point of the Jets' offense. They need a new quarterback in the worst way possible. Although guys like Oregon Ducks quarterback Dante Moore may not be crazy about going to East Rutherford, having a guy coming aboard like Branch as a second-rounder seems tasty.

Of course, Branch would have to play all of his home games on that unforgiving MetLife Stadium turf.

4. Arizona Cardinals

The Arizona Cardinals are among the handful of teams who fired their head coach on Black Monday. While Jonathan Gannon is still a savvy defensive mind, the Cardinals' season hit the fan once Kyler Murray got hurt, benched, or whatever, and Jacoby Brissett had to take over for him. Brissett is a well-liked person, but he is no longer a serviceable stop-gap quarterback. Arizona will need a ton of help.

The idea bringing Branch to The Valley of the Sun is to get a player who could conceivably be quick offense in the short game for a team that needs a new identity on that side of the ball. Arizona is in a position to either take him near the very top of the second round, or potentially trade into the back of the first round to land Branch. Because of his skill set, he might be worth having that fifth-year option.

Arizona is like the Jets in that the Cardinals need so much help, but a player like Branch can provide it.

3. Atlanta Falcons

This would be borderline unbelievable. For Branch to go down the road to the Atlanta Falcons, it would not only require him to completely fall out of the first round, but for Atlanta to potentially trade up to get him near the top of the second round. Atlanta is expected to hire an offensive-minded head coach in the wake of firing Raheem Morris. Branch playing with Bijan Robinson sounds so incredible.

One of the things that plagued the Falcons this past year was Zac Robinson as a play-caller. Now that he is out with the rest of Morris' staff, although some in Dirty Bird Nation would love to see defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich return, Atlanta can get back to having a fully functional offense. The Falcons got crushed on third down this year, particularly when it came to the short-to-medium passing game.

Branch may be off the board before the Falcons are picking, but he would be such a great fit for them.

2. San Francisco 49ers

If there was a team that would get the most out of Branch's unique skill set it would have to be Kyle Shanahan's San Francisco 49ers. They are a playoff team, but could be picking in the range where he could be coming off the board at the absolute earliest. Look at Branch being every bit as talented as Deebo Samuel or Brandon Aiyuk, without all the perpetual ice cream headaches they both generate.

Surely, general manager John Lynch will find a way to alienate him near the end of his first contract because he always does that with everyone. Let's not beat around the bush here. If Branch were to go to the 49ers, he might be everything the Kansas City Chiefs thought they were getting out of Xavier Worthy and then some when he was a late first-round pick. The fit is too good for it to be overlooked.

There is only one other team that makes as much sense as San Francisco when it comes to Branch.

1. Las Vegas Raiders

This could be so much fun it if happens. The Las Vegas Raiders fired Pete Carroll after only one season. The Silver and Black could not have been more directionless under him. That being said, they are bad enough to have the No. 1 overall pick. Fernando Mendoza, you are a Raider! If Mendoza is the No. 1 pick, just imagine him being in the same offense as Ashton Jeanty, Brock Bowers, and Branch.

We are talking about a star quarterback, linking up with a great running back, a generational tight end, and one of the shiftiest wide receivers the college game has ever provided. Not only that, but do you realize who Branch is related to? That would be Pro Football Hall of Fame wide receiver Cliff Branch. He is Zachariah's late great uncle. Cliff Branch was posthumously inducted into Canton back in 2022.

Being a Raider is in his blood, as Branch might have what it takes to turn the Silver and Black around.