ESPN taps into FTN Fantasy Chief Analytics Officer Aaron Schatz, the Creator of DVOA, to utilize Playmaker Score, which analyzes the player's peak college season along with other variables to project the average receiving yards per year in the first five NFL seasons for the top wide receiver prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft. The Playmaker Score projection has Georgia wide receiver Zachariah Branch averaging 496 receiving yards through five NFL seasons.
That total puts him seventh among the wide receiver prospects in this year's draft, with Nico Collins and Justin Hunter named as similar historical prospects.
Branch had just six touchdowns last season and just nine in his entire three-year college career, which is very low for a highly-touted wide receiver prospect. However, he led the SEC with 81 receptions for the 2025 Bulldogs and had to share the field with another prospect in Colbie Young. He also recorded 811 receiving yards.
Stylistically, Branch is more of a gadget slot receiver who moves with quickness but can make explosive pass gains. So he's not particularly similar to the players with the most similar Playmaker metrics such as Collins.
Colbie Young is projected to average 82.8 yards, 31st among wide receivers, with Dillon Bell 38th at 35.6 yards per season.
Branch measured in a 5-foot-8 5/8 and 177 pounds at the scouting combine, where he posted a 4.35-second 40-yard dash.
In his lone season in Athens, Branch made 81 catches for 811 yards and six touchdowns, with seven rushing yards, along with 20.5 yards per kickoff return and 12.07 yards per punt return. He was an All-SEC Second Team selection and Third Team selection at wide receiver and all-purpose player by the SEC Coaches. In the second quarter of the Sugar Bowl, Branch set the Bulldog single-season mark for receptions, breaking the record held by the late Brice Hunter (76 in 1993).
"That's a blessing, man," Branch said in the lead-up to the CFP quarterfinal of being in position to break the record. "I can only give credit all to God to be able to allow me to play the game that I love every single week in and out with a great team. I wouldn't be able to do it without everybody on the offense as well. Coach [Mike] Bobo drawing up the plays, the O-line blocking, because if they don't get their blocks, then I won't be able to get the ball. And Gunner [Stockton] making the right reads, the other receivers doing the right things to be able to get me open as well, is something that's really important for all of that to happen. And that's a pretty cool opportunity to hear, for sure."
Kirby Smart discussed Branch after the Week 14 win over Georgia Tech.
"Yeah, he's a catalyst. I mean, you're looking to get one all the touches you can, right?" Smart said. "Good things happen when he touches the ball, especially downfield. I'm really proud of his leadership, and that play on third down was huge. And again, probably the play of the game to catch that ball that he did over there."
Branch arrived via the transfer portal from USC, where he finished the 2024 regular season tied for the team reception lead with 47 catches and was second with 503 yards, both career highs. He scored one touchdown. Branch had a historic freshman season as the first true freshman first-team All-American in USC history. He was named as a returner after posting 24 kickoffs for 442 yards, a touchdown, and 15 punt returns for 309 yards and a score. He averaged 18.4 yards per kick return and 20.6 yards per punt return, which led the nation.