Expectations were high for two Georgia Bulldogs who are now in the NFL. Zachariah Branch and Oscar Delp both made their NFL preseason debuts over the last few days, but both players unfortunately struggled.
Branch only had two catches on four targets for six yards. He also had one run for three yards and a punt return for six yards as well. Hardly the production the Atlanta Falcons want for their third round draft choice. Fellow Bulldog star Jalon Walker was already injured for the Falcons during training camp as well which adds to the setbacks for Bulldogs in Atlanta.
Delp fared only slightly better in his play for the New Orleans Saints. He nabbed three receptions on six targets for 10 yards and a touchdown. However, he dropped several passes during the loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Zachariah Branch, Oscar Delp have a chance for long NFL careers
No one should overreact to one preseason game from either Branch or Delp. NFL teams love to hold back their playbooks and not unleash their talented rookies during the preseason, so as the regular season unfolds their stats could look very different.
While there is plenty of preseason left for Branch and Delp (and several other Bulldogs) to raise their game and make solid impressions on NFL coaches, time may be running out for Stetson Bennett. Rookie quarterback Ty Simpson was excellent following Bennett on the field for the Rams, increasing doubts on Bennett's future with the Rams.
Are we going to keep pointing to Matthew Stafford as the prime example of Georgia greatness in the NFL? Will Brock Bowers fully return to his dominating presence for the Raiders? Will the slew of defensive giants at the Philadelpia Eagles continue to show their worth of their new high-dollar contracts? How long will Georgia fans (and NFL coaches) wait to see if new draftees CJ Allen, Christen Miller or Daylen Everette shine and establish themselves as belonging in the NFL?
These and many other questions have been raised and will be worth exploring in coming weeks. Kirby Smart has certainly coached all these players up to the level where they are, but it is up to them to rise up the the challenge of NFL greatness.
Branch and Delp will most likely get more touches in the next few games, and adjustments will certainly be made to let their incredible talent be seen and used to win games. Georgia Bulldog fans will continue to tune into the Falcons and Saints to see their favorite players, but it is still very early in their careers so they both have plenty of time to prove themselves and have long NFL careers.
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