Atlanta Falcons Sign Zachariah Branch, Rookie Draft Class And 14 Free Agents

FLOWERY BRANCH — The Atlanta Falcons continued reshaping their roster this week, officially signing four draft picks, adding 14 undrafted free agents and bringing back a familiar face to strengthen the secondary.

Among the newest Falcons is former Georgia wide receiver Zachariah Branch, one of the most explosive playmakers in college football over the past three seasons.

Atlanta selected Branch in the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft with the 79th overall pick after a standout season with the Bulldogs. Branch transferred to Georgia following two seasons at Southern California and immediately became one of the SEC’s most dangerous offensive weapons and return specialists.

The Las Vegas native caught 81 passes for 811 yards and six touchdowns during the 2025 season while also making an impact in the return game with 205 kickoff return yards and 157 punt return yards.

Branch finished his collegiate career with 159 receptions for 1,634 yards and nine touchdowns across 38 games. He burst onto the national scene as a true freshman at USC in 2023, winning the Jet Award as the nation’s top return specialist after scoring touchdowns on both a punt return and a kickoff return.

The Falcons also signed fourth-round linebacker Kendal Daniels, sixth-round linebacker Harold Perkins and seventh-round offensive lineman Ethan Onianwa.

Daniels arrives in Atlanta after spending time at both Oklahoma State and Oklahoma, where he became known as a versatile defender capable of making plays all over the field. Across five collegiate seasons, Daniels recorded 293 tackles, 33.5 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks and five interceptions.

Perkins, once considered one of the nation’s elite defensive recruits, played four seasons at LSU and totaled 220 tackles, 36 tackles for loss and five interceptions during his career. After an injury-shortened 2024 season, Perkins bounced back in 2025 with 56 tackles, 4.5 sacks and three interceptions.

Onianwa gives Atlanta additional offensive line depth after beginning his collegiate career at Rice before transferring to Ohio State for the 2025 season. The 6-foot-6 lineman started 34 games during his time at Rice and appeared in all 14 games for the Buckeyes last season.

Atlanta also announced the signing of 14 undrafted free agents as the organization continues building depth heading into offseason workouts and training camp.

The group includes Georgia running back Cash Jones, Auburn tight end Brandon Frazier, Alabama guard Kam Dewberry, Wisconsin wide receiver Vinny Anthony II and Michigan State tight end Jack Velling.

Other undrafted signings include Houston defensive lineman Carlos Allen Jr., Miami center James Brockermeyer, Minnesota wide receiver Le’Meke Brockington, Akron cornerback Malcolm Dewalt IV, Clemson long snapper Philip Florenzo, Wisconsin tackle Riley Mahlman, Miami wide receiver Keelan Marion, Purdue defensive end CJ Nunnally IV and Minnesota State-Moorhead quarterback Jack Strand.

The Falcons also reunited with cornerback Darren Hall, a former fourth-round pick by Atlanta in the 2021 NFL Draft.

Hall has appeared in 48 NFL games with the Falcons and Arizona Cardinals, totaling 85 tackles, six passes defended, one sack and one forced fumble during his professional career. The former San Diego State standout previously spent two seasons in Atlanta before later joining Arizona and also spending time with Indianapolis.

To make room for Hall on the roster, the Falcons released safety Tysheem Johnson.

The flurry of moves comes as Atlanta continues assembling its roster for the 2026 season, with rookies and newcomers expected to compete for depth-chart positions throughout the summer.