Falcons Draft Zachariah Branch Despite Arrest Days Before NFL Draft

The Atlanta Falcons selected Georgia wide receiver Zachariah Branch with the No. 79 overall pick in the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft on Friday night, just five days after his arrest in Athens on two misdemeanor charges.

Falcons general manager Ian Cunningham acknowledged the team knew about the incident but said it didn't impact their decision. "We're obviously well aware of the incident, but it didn't affect our evaluation," Cunningham told reporters.

Branch was arrested earlier in the week on charges related to obstructing a public sidewalk. According to police reports, Branch "smirked, then stepped backwards and to the right, then remained standing upon the public sidewalk, so as to obstruct, hinder, and impede free passage upon the sidewalk as well as impede free ingress/egress to or from the adjacent places of business."

Branch himself said he wasn't worried about how the arrest would affect his draft position. "If you look at the things of what transpired, you'll understand why I wasn't anxious," Branch told reporters covering the Falcons.

The Falcons said they liked Branch's "fit" with their team despite the legal issue. The timing of the arrest during draft week typically raises red flags for NFL teams, but Atlanta moved forward with selecting the Georgia receiver anyway.