Branch is a manufactured touch and an underneath target option for an NFL offense. He finishes college with a 5.2 aDOT (3.6 in 2025) and a 77.9% slot rate. Branch has a compact, muscular build that lends itself to after-the-catch production. In 2025, 77.4% of his targets were within nine yards of the line of scrimmage or behind it. 49.4% of his target volume was via screens as he ranked second in screens among all FBS wide receivers. Branch has immediate and palpable speed. He looks shot out of a cannon as soon as the ball is in his hands. In 2025, he ranked 16th in yards after the catch per reception (ninth in 2024) and 12th in missed tackles forced per attempt. Branch has the raw speed and after the catch ability to take any low aDOT target to the house. Branch has underrated route-running chops when he was able to flash them in 2025. He sets up corners well with subtle jab steps while displaying a solid grasp of manipulating a corner's leverage. There is upside here that he could be a more diverse player than his collegiate usage foretells. It's just a projection, though. Many times, NFL teams don't draft players of this archetype for who they can become, but target them for who they are, what they bring to the table skillset-wise as a prospect. Dynasty Outlook: Branch was selected by the Atlanta Falcons in the third round of the NFL Draft. I'll be avoiding him in rookie drafts. In college, he was a screen merchant. We have seen this archetype of wide receiver fail time and time again in the NFL (Rondale Moore and Malachi Corley). I'm trying to learn from past mistakes here. If you want to take the chance on Branch, I wouldn't do it any earlier than the mid-to-late third round of rookie drafts. I won't be following you down that road.
by in Fantasy6 days ago