PFF 2026 NFL Draft Guide: Zachariah Branch NFL projection, advanced stats & scouting report

Georgia Bulldogs

Height: 5’10”
Weight: 180 pounds
Position: WR
Big Board Rank: 75

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WR Zachariah Branch, Georgia Bulldogs

• Height: 5’10”
• Weight: 180 pounds
• 
  Big Board Rank: 75
  

Scouting report

Branch is a likely Day 2 pick due to his rare, difference-making athleticism. However, he relies heavily on speed and must continue to refine the nuance and technique of his route running to avoid being limited to a special-teams role.

Player Traits

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Player Traits

• Route running: 6/10
• Vertical ability, long speed: 9/10
• Release, footwork: 3/10
• Hands: 7/10
• Change-of-direction acceleration: 10/10
• Change-of-direction flexibility: 9/10
• Run after the catch/contact: 8/10
• Play strength, blocking: 2/10
• Competitive toughness: 8/10

2025 Advanced Data (Ranks among 432 FBS qualifiers)

Target rate by situation (2025)

Separation by coverage look (All routes of 5-plus yards, 2025)

Production vs. Coverage Looks (2025)

ManZone

Cover-0Cover-1Cover-2Cover-3Cover-3 CloudCover-3 Double CloudCover-3 SeamCover-6QuartersRed ZoneCover 2-Man
×ManTargets: 23Receptions: 21Yards: 300PFF receiving grade87.5Targets23Receptions21Receiving yards300Yards per reception14.3Receiving touchdowns5First downs15Drops1Contested targets2Contested catches1Yards after catch241YAC per reception11.5Avg depth of target3.2Yards per route run4.23Explosive plays7Missed tackles forced7WR rating158.3ZoneTargets: 70Receptions: 60Yards: 511PFF receiving grade75.6Targets70Receptions60Receiving yards511Yards per reception8.5Receiving touchdowns1First downs25Drops1Contested targets6Contested catches4Yards after catch393YAC per reception6.5Avg depth of target3.7Yards per route run2.16Explosive plays13Missed tackles forced13WR rating101.8Cover-0Targets: 11Receptions: 10Yards: 155PFF receiving grade87.6Targets11Receptions10Receiving yards155Yards per reception15.5Receiving touchdowns4First downs7Drops1Contested targets1Contested catches0Yards after catch157YAC per reception15.7Avg depth of target0.0Yards per route run7.38Explosive plays3Missed tackles forced4WR rating158.3Cover-1Targets: 12Receptions: 11Yards: 145PFF receiving grade79.3Targets12Receptions11Receiving yards145Yards per reception13.2Receiving touchdowns1First downs8Drops0Contested targets1Contested catches1Yards after catch84YAC per reception7.6Avg depth of target6.1Yards per route run2.96Explosive plays4Missed tackles forced3WR rating144.8Cover-2Targets: 14Receptions: 11Yards: 111PFF receiving grade79.0Targets14Receptions11Receiving yards111Yards per reception10.1Receiving touchdowns0First downs6Drops0Contested targets3Contested catches2Yards after catch49YAC per reception4.5Avg depth of target7.6Yards per route run2.36Explosive plays3Missed tackles forced1WR rating99.7Cover-3Targets: 23Receptions: 20Yards: 180PFF receiving grade67.1Targets23Receptions20Receiving yards180Yards per reception9.0Receiving touchdowns0First downs8Drops1Contested targets1Contested catches0Yards after catch146YAC per reception7.3Avg depth of target2.8Yards per route run2.07Explosive plays5Missed tackles forced5WR rating99.3Cover-3 CloudTargets: 1Receptions: 1Yards: 10PFF receiving grade66.1Targets1Receptions1Receiving yards10Yards per reception10.0Receiving touchdowns0First downs1Drops0Contested targets0Contested catches0Yards after catch12YAC per reception12.0Avg depth of target-2.0Yards per route run1.43Explosive plays0Missed tackles forced0WR rating108.3Cover-3 Double CloudTargets: 1Receptions: 1Yards: 0PFF receiving grade57.2Targets1Receptions1Receiving yards0Yards per reception0.0Receiving touchdowns0First downs0Drops0Contested targets0Contested catches0Yards after catch3YAC per reception3.0Avg depth of target-3.0Yards per route run0.00Explosive plays0Missed tackles forced0WR rating79.2Cover-3 SeamTargets: 4Receptions: 3Yards: 45PFF receiving grade64.2Targets4Receptions3Receiving yards45Yards per reception15.0Receiving touchdowns0First downs1Drops0Contested targets1Contested catches1Yards after catch15YAC per reception5.0Avg depth of target16.5Yards per route run3.21Explosive plays1Missed tackles forced0WR rating111.5Cover-6Targets: 4Receptions: 4Yards: 40PFF receiving grade63.4Targets4Receptions4Receiving yards40Yards per reception10.0Receiving touchdowns0First downs2Drops0Contested targets0Contested catches0Yards after catch19YAC per reception4.8Avg depth of target5.3Yards per route run1.82Explosive plays1Missed tackles forced2WR rating108.3QuartersTargets: 23Receptions: 20Yards: 125PFF receiving grade71.2Targets23Receptions20Receiving yards125Yards per reception6.3Receiving touchdowns1First downs7Drops0Contested targets1Contested catches1Yards after catch149YAC per reception7.5Avg depth of target0.3Yards per route run2.31Explosive plays3Missed tackles forced5WR rating103.8Red ZoneTargets: 0Receptions: 0Yards: 0PFF receiving grade54.2Targets0Receptions0Receiving yards0Yards per reception0.0Receiving touchdowns0First downs0Drops0Contested targets0Contested catches0Yards after catch0YAC per reception0.0Avg depth of target0.0Yards per route run0.00Explosive plays0Missed tackles forced0WR rating0.0Cover 2-ManTargets: 0Receptions: 0Yards: 0PFF receiving grade57.4Targets0Receptions0Receiving yards0Yards per reception0.0Receiving touchdowns0First downs0Drops0Contested targets0Contested catches0Yards after catch0YAC per reception0.0Avg depth of target0.0Yards per route run0.00Explosive plays0Missed tackles forced0WR rating0.0

Receiving snaps by alignment (2025)

Target Depth Chart (2025)

86.3

92.7

83.4

59.4

95.5

70.9

74.0

91.7

73.6

89.1

90.1

62.6

90+80+70+60+50+<50N/A
×Outside Left — 20+ yardsTargets: 1Receptions: 1Yards: 18PFF receiving grade86.3Targets1Receptions1Receiving yards18Yards per reception18.0Touchdowns1Interceptions0First downs1Drops0Drop rate0.0%Fumbles0Contested targets0Contested receptions0Yards after catch0YAC per reception0.0Catch rate100.0%Avg depth of target22.0Avoided tackles0QB rating when targeted158.3Yards per route run1.38Longest reception18Between Numbers — 20+ yardsTargets: 5Receptions: 3Yards: 65PFF receiving grade92.7Targets5Receptions3Receiving yards65Yards per reception21.7Touchdowns0Interceptions0First downs3Drops0Drop rate0.0%Fumbles0Contested targets3Contested receptions2Contested catch rate66.7%Yards after catch0YAC per reception0.0Catch rate60.0%Avg depth of target22.8Avoided tackles0QB rating when targeted104.2Yards per route run4.33Longest reception23Outside Right — 20+ yardsTargets: 2Receptions: 1Yards: 26PFF receiving grade83.4Targets2Receptions1Receiving yards26Yards per reception26.0Touchdowns0Interceptions0First downs1Drops0Drop rate0.0%Fumbles0Contested targets1Contested receptions1Contested catch rate100.0%Yards after catch1YAC per reception1.0Catch rate50.0%Avg depth of target30.5Avoided tackles0QB rating when targeted95.8Yards per route run2.36Longest reception26Outside Left — 10-19 yardsTargets: 1Receptions: 0Yards: 0PFF receiving grade59.4Targets1Receptions0Receiving yards0Touchdowns0Interceptions0First downs0Drops0Fumbles0Contested targets0Contested receptions0Yards after catch0Catch rate0.0%Avg depth of target19.0Avoided tackles0QB rating when targeted39.6Yards per route run0.00Longest reception0Between Numbers — 10-19 yardsTargets: 10Receptions: 8Yards: 147PFF receiving grade95.5Targets10Receptions8Receiving yards147Yards per reception18.4Touchdowns0Interceptions0First downs8Drops0Drop rate0.0%Fumbles0Contested targets0Contested receptions0Yards after catch36YAC per reception4.5Catch rate80.0%Avg depth of target13.9Avoided tackles0QB rating when targeted118.8Yards per route run4.45Longest reception30Outside Right — 10-19 yardsTargets: 2Receptions: 1Yards: 17PFF receiving grade70.9Targets2Receptions1Receiving yards17Yards per reception17.0Touchdowns0Interceptions0First downs1Drops0Drop rate0.0%Fumbles0Contested targets0Contested receptions0Yards after catch2YAC per reception2.0Catch rate50.0%Avg depth of target14.0Avoided tackles0QB rating when targeted79.2Yards per route run1.31Longest reception17Outside Left — 0-9 yardsTargets: 5Receptions: 4Yards: 21PFF receiving grade74.0Targets5Receptions4Receiving yards21Yards per reception5.3Touchdowns0Interceptions0First downs2Drops0Drop rate0.0%Fumbles0Contested targets1Contested receptions1Contested catch rate100.0%Yards after catch2YAC per reception0.5Catch rate80.0%Avg depth of target5.4Avoided tackles0QB rating when targeted84.2Yards per route run1.62Longest reception8Between Numbers — 0-9 yardsTargets: 9Receptions: 8Yards: 101PFF receiving grade91.7Targets9Receptions8Receiving yards101Yards per reception12.6Touchdowns1Interceptions0First downs7Drops0Drop rate0.0%Fumbles0Contested targets2Contested receptions1Contested catch rate50.0%Yards after catch59YAC per reception7.4Catch rate88.9%Avg depth of target5.1Avoided tackles1QB rating when targeted150.5Yards per route run2.40Longest reception42Outside Right — 0-9 yardsTargets: 7Receptions: 6Yards: 45PFF receiving grade73.6Targets7Receptions6Receiving yards45Yards per reception7.5Touchdowns0Interceptions0First downs3Drops1Drop rate14.3%Fumbles0Contested targets1Contested receptions0Contested catch rate0.0%Yards after catch14YAC per reception2.3Catch rate85.7%Avg depth of target4.7Avoided tackles1QB rating when targeted93.5Yards per route run2.65Longest reception13Outside Left — Behind LOSTargets: 5Receptions: 5Yards: 79PFF receiving grade89.1Targets5Receptions5Receiving yards79Yards per reception15.8Touchdowns2Interceptions0First downs2Drops0Drop rate0.0%Fumbles0Contested targets0Contested receptions0Yards after catch93YAC per reception18.6Catch rate100.0%Avg depth of target-2.8Avoided tackles1QB rating when targeted158.3Yards per route run4.94Longest reception47Between Numbers — Behind LOSTargets: 42Receptions: 40Yards: 266PFF receiving grade90.1Targets42Receptions40Receiving yards266Yards per reception6.7Touchdowns2Interceptions0First downs12Drops1Drop rate2.4%Fumbles0Contested targets0Contested receptions0Yards after catch389YAC per reception9.7Catch rate95.2%Avg depth of target-3.0Avoided tackles17QB rating when targeted108.9Yards per route run4.75Longest reception36Outside Right — Behind LOSTargets: 4Receptions: 4Yards: 26PFF receiving grade62.6Targets4Receptions4Receiving yards26Yards per reception6.5Touchdowns0Interceptions0First downs0Drops0Drop rate0.0%Fumbles0Contested targets0Contested receptions0Yards after catch38YAC per reception9.5Catch rate100.0%Avg depth of target-3.0Avoided tackles0QB rating when targeted93.8Yards per route run2.36Longest reception11

Box score data (2023-25)

PFF Grades (2023-25)

Production vs. man and zone coverage (2023-25)

Red-zone performance (2023-25)

Production profile (2023-25)

Performance in contested situations (2023-25)

Stable metrics (2023-25)

Route Tree (2023-25)

GoScreenFlatSlantCrossOutInComebackHitchCornerPostWRBall

×ScreenPFF receiving grade86.1Targets68Receptions64Receiving yards439Touchdowns4WR rating113.2×FlatPFF receiving grade83.7Targets12Receptions10Receiving yards79Touchdowns1WR rating121.9×SlantPFF receiving grade89.9Targets10Receptions8Receiving yards120Touchdowns0WR rating116.7×CrossPFF receiving grade85.2Targets22Receptions13Receiving yards274Touchdowns0WR rating84.3×OutPFF receiving grade76.9Targets13Receptions11Receiving yards107Touchdowns1WR rating126.6×InPFF receiving grade57.0Targets4Receptions2Receiving yards34Touchdowns0WR rating79.2×ComebackPFF receiving grade74.9Targets4Receptions2Receiving yards24Touchdowns0WR rating68.8×HitchPFF receiving grade54.5Targets23Receptions16Receiving yards143Touchdowns0WR rating67.8×CornerPFF receiving grade91.9Targets4Receptions3Receiving yards72Touchdowns1WR rating156.3×PostPFF receiving grade54.1Targets2Receptions0Receiving yards0Touchdowns0WR rating39.6×GoPFF receiving grade53.9Targets3Receptions1Receiving yards18Touchdowns1WR rating94.4×Seam RoutePFF receiving grade74.5Targets9Receptions4Receiving yards76Touchdowns0WR rating74.3×Slot WheelPFF receiving grade73.5Targets2Receptions1Receiving yards42Touchdowns0WR rating95.8×GhostPFF receiving grade72.1Targets6Receptions6Receiving yards35Touchdowns0WR rating91.0×JetPFF receiving grade69.9Targets4Receptions4Receiving yards20Touchdowns0WR rating87.5×Backfield ScreenPFF receiving grade67.6Targets2Receptions2Receiving yards4Touchdowns0WR rating79.2×SlidePFF receiving grade66.5Targets2Receptions2Receiving yards17Touchdowns0WR rating102.1×Back Shoulder GoPFF receiving grade63.1Targets2Receptions1Receiving yards26Touchdowns0WR rating95.8×Scramble AdjustmentPFF receiving grade62.4Targets5Receptions2Receiving yards28Touchdowns0WR rating58.8×Backfield FlarePFF receiving grade61.2Targets7Receptions7Receiving yards72Touchdowns1WR rating149.1×Whip Route (Breaking In)PFF receiving grade58.8Targets1Receptions1Receiving yards4Touchdowns0WR rating83.3×Slant & GoPFF receiving grade58.1Targets2Receptions0Receiving yards0Touchdowns0WR rating0.0×Block Run ThroughPFF receiving grade51.7Targets2Receptions0Receiving yards0Touchdowns0WR rating39.6×Whip Route (Breaking Out)PFF receiving grade46.2Targets2Receptions0Receiving yards0Touchdowns0WR rating39.6

ScreenFlatSlantCrossOutInComebackHitchCornerPostGoSeam RouteSlot WheelGhostJetBackfield ScreenSlideBack Shoulder GoScramble AdjustmentBackfield FlareWhip Route (Breaking In)Slant & GoBlock Run ThroughWhip Route (Breaking Out)

×ScreenTargets: 68Receptions: 64Yards: 439PFF receiving grade86.1Targets68Receptions64Receiving yards439Yards per reception6.9Receiving touchdowns4First downs18Drops2Contested targets0Contested catches0Yards after catch622YAC per reception9.7Avg depth of target-2.8Yards per route run4.22Explosive plays10Missed tackles forced21WR rating113.2FlatTargets: 12Receptions: 10Yards: 79PFF receiving grade83.7Targets12Receptions10Receiving yards79Yards per reception7.9Receiving touchdowns1First downs4Drops1Contested targets1Contested catches0Yards after catch84YAC per reception8.4Avg depth of target-0.3Yards per route run4.16Explosive plays2Missed tackles forced3WR rating121.9SlantTargets: 10Receptions: 8Yards: 120PFF receiving grade89.9Targets10Receptions8Receiving yards120Yards per reception15.0Receiving touchdowns0First downs6Drops0Contested targets3Contested catches1Yards after catch67YAC per reception8.4Avg depth of target6.5Yards per route run7.06Explosive plays2Missed tackles forced1WR rating116.7CrossTargets: 22Receptions: 13Yards: 274PFF receiving grade85.2Targets22Receptions13Receiving yards274Yards per reception21.1Receiving touchdowns0First downs11Drops2Contested targets3Contested catches0Yards after catch163YAC per reception12.5Avg depth of target11.0Yards per route run4.98Explosive plays9Missed tackles forced0WR rating84.3OutTargets: 13Receptions: 11Yards: 107PFF receiving grade76.9Targets13Receptions11Receiving yards107Yards per reception9.7Receiving touchdowns1First downs9Drops0Contested targets1Contested catches1Yards after catch21YAC per reception1.9Avg depth of target8.9Yards per route run2.97Explosive plays2Missed tackles forced1WR rating126.6InTargets: 4Receptions: 2Yards: 34PFF receiving grade57.0Targets4Receptions2Receiving yards34Yards per reception17.0Receiving touchdowns0First downs2Drops0Contested targets1Contested catches0Yards after catch0YAC per reception0.0Avg depth of target15.5Yards per route run1.03Explosive plays1Missed tackles forced0WR rating79.2ComebackTargets: 4Receptions: 2Yards: 24PFF receiving grade74.9Targets4Receptions2Receiving yards24Yards per reception12.0Receiving touchdowns0First downs1Drops0Contested targets0Contested catches0Yards after catch2YAC per reception1.0Avg depth of target11.0Yards per route run4.00Explosive plays1Missed tackles forced0WR rating68.8HitchTargets: 23Receptions: 16Yards: 143PFF receiving grade54.5Targets23Receptions16Receiving yards143Yards per reception8.9Receiving touchdowns0First downs6Drops2Contested targets2Contested catches1Yards after catch38YAC per reception2.4Avg depth of target6.7Yards per route run1.23Explosive plays1Missed tackles forced2WR rating67.8CornerTargets: 4Receptions: 3Yards: 72PFF receiving grade91.9Targets4Receptions3Receiving yards72Yards per reception24.0Receiving touchdowns1First downs3Drops0Contested targets2Contested catches2Yards after catch6YAC per reception2.0Avg depth of target22.8Yards per route run9.00Explosive plays3Missed tackles forced0WR rating156.3PostTargets: 2Receptions: 0Yards: 0PFF receiving grade54.1Targets2Receptions0Receiving yards0Yards per reception0.0Receiving touchdowns0First downs0Drops0Contested targets1Contested catches0Yards after catch0YAC per reception0.0Avg depth of target31.5Yards per route run0.00Explosive plays0Missed tackles forced0WR rating39.6GoTargets: 3Receptions: 1Yards: 18PFF receiving grade53.9Targets3Receptions1Receiving yards18Yards per reception18.0Receiving touchdowns1First downs1Drops0Contested targets2Contested catches0Yards after catch0YAC per reception0.0Avg depth of target24.7Yards per route run0.42Explosive plays1Missed tackles forced0WR rating94.4Seam RouteTargets: 9Receptions: 4Yards: 76PFF receiving grade74.5Targets9Receptions4Receiving yards76Yards per reception19.0Receiving touchdowns0First downs4Drops0Contested targets3Contested catches2Yards after catch4YAC per reception1.0Avg depth of target22.8Yards per route run2.71Explosive plays3Missed tackles forced0WR rating74.3Slot WheelTargets: 2Receptions: 1Yards: 42PFF receiving grade73.5Targets2Receptions1Receiving yards42Yards per reception42.0Receiving touchdowns0First downs1Drops0Contested targets0Contested catches0Yards after catch24YAC per reception24.0Avg depth of target27.0Yards per route run8.40Explosive plays1Missed tackles forced0WR rating95.8GhostTargets: 6Receptions: 6Yards: 35PFF receiving grade72.1Targets6Receptions6Receiving yards35Yards per reception5.8Receiving touchdowns0First downs1Drops0Contested targets0Contested catches0Yards after catch65YAC per reception10.8Avg depth of target-5.0Yards per route run4.38Explosive plays1Missed tackles forced0WR rating91.0JetTargets: 4Receptions: 4Yards: 20PFF receiving grade69.9Targets4Receptions4Receiving yards20Yards per reception5.0Receiving touchdowns0First downs1Drops0Contested targets0Contested catches0Yards after catch37YAC per reception9.3Avg depth of target-4.3Yards per route run5.00Explosive plays0Missed tackles forced0WR rating87.5Backfield ScreenTargets: 2Receptions: 2Yards: 4PFF receiving grade67.6Targets2Receptions2Receiving yards4Yards per reception2.0Receiving touchdowns0First downs1Drops0Contested targets0Contested catches0Yards after catch14YAC per reception7.0Avg depth of target-5.0Yards per route run0.50Explosive plays0Missed tackles forced1WR rating79.2SlideTargets: 2Receptions: 2Yards: 17PFF receiving grade66.5Targets2Receptions2Receiving yards17Yards per reception8.5Receiving touchdowns0First downs2Drops0Contested targets0Contested catches0Yards after catch24YAC per reception12.0Avg depth of target-3.5Yards per route run1.21Explosive plays0Missed tackles forced2WR rating102.1Back Shoulder GoTargets: 2Receptions: 1Yards: 26PFF receiving grade63.1Targets2Receptions1Receiving yards26Yards per reception26.0Receiving touchdowns0First downs1Drops0Contested targets1Contested catches1Yards after catch1YAC per reception1.0Avg depth of target21.5Yards per route run1.73Explosive plays1Missed tackles forced0WR rating95.8Scramble AdjustmentTargets: 5Receptions: 2Yards: 28PFF receiving grade62.4Targets5Receptions2Receiving yards28Yards per reception14.0Receiving touchdowns0First downs2Drops0Contested targets1Contested catches0Yards after catch0YAC per reception0.0Avg depth of target16.0Yards per route run0.93Explosive plays1Missed tackles forced0WR rating58.8Backfield FlareTargets: 7Receptions: 7Yards: 72PFF receiving grade61.2Targets7Receptions7Receiving yards72Yards per reception10.3Receiving touchdowns1First downs3Drops0Contested targets0Contested catches0Yards after catch103YAC per reception14.7Avg depth of target-4.4Yards per route run1.33Explosive plays1Missed tackles forced3WR rating149.1Whip Route (Breaking In)Targets: 1Receptions: 1Yards: 4PFF receiving grade58.8Targets1Receptions1Receiving yards4Yards per reception4.0Receiving touchdowns0First downs0Drops0Contested targets0Contested catches0Yards after catch0YAC per reception0.0Avg depth of target4.0Yards per route run1.33Explosive plays0Missed tackles forced0WR rating83.3Slant & GoTargets: 2Receptions: 0Yards: 0PFF receiving grade58.1Targets2Receptions0Receiving yards0Yards per reception0.0Receiving touchdowns0First downs0Drops0Contested targets0Contested catches0Yards after catch0YAC per reception0.0Avg depth of target31.0Yards per route run0.00Explosive plays0Missed tackles forced0WR rating0.0Block Run ThroughTargets: 2Receptions: 0Yards: 0PFF receiving grade51.7Targets2Receptions0Receiving yards0Yards per reception0.0Receiving touchdowns0First downs0Drops0Contested targets0Contested catches0Yards after catch0YAC per reception0.0Avg depth of target13.0Yards per route run0.00Explosive plays0Missed tackles forced0WR rating39.6Whip Route (Breaking Out)Targets: 2Receptions: 0Yards: 0PFF receiving grade46.2Targets2Receptions0Receiving yards0Yards per reception0.0Receiving touchdowns0First downs0Drops1Contested targets0Contested catches0Yards after catch0YAC per reception0.0Avg depth of target3.5Yards per route run0.00Explosive plays0Missed tackles forced0WR rating39.6

Player Comp: Deion Branch