Breaking down all 4 Falcons rookie wide receivers as OTAs resume

Posted on by GoalVerseNews

The Atlanta Falcons were unable to land a big-name receiver to pair with Drake London, but they added several players to their WR room over the offseason. Aside from bringing back veteran Olamide Zaccheaus, the team signed former first-round pick Jahan Dotson, drafted Zachariah Branch and signed three UDFA receivers.

While each player brings something different to the table, almost all of them have some kick/punt return ability. Fans are familiar with Zaccheaus, and generally have high hopes for Dotson, but what should they be expecting from the team’s rookie receivers?

Let’s take a closer look at the Falcons’ four rookie wideouts as the team begins its second week of OTAs.

1). WR Zachariah Branch (3rd round)

  • 2025 stats: 81 catches, 811 yards, 6 TD

The Falcons filled arguably their biggest need with a local prospect, taking Georgia’s Zachariah Branch in the third round. The former USC standout transferred to Georgia in 2025 and recorded 81 catches for 811 receiving yards and six touchdowns last season.

Branch has elite speed and should be a perfect complement to Drake London in Atlanta. The Falcons released Darnell Mooney and Khadarel Hodge at the start of the new league year, and while Dotson and Zaccheaus are solid depth pieces, the team lacked a true No. 2 wide receiver.

The former Bulldog can contribute right away, even if he begins his NFL career with the Falcons as a slot receiver. Ultimately, we think he can eventually take over that No. 2 role. For now, he has a good chance to secure the team’s starting kick and punt return duties.

“Branch’s great burst and short-area quickness continuously created big plays in college, including 40 receiving first downs in 2025,” wrote ESPN scouts. “He has elite initial acceleration and can separate from defenders quickly. Plus, he can stop and start on a dime. Branch does not shy away from contact and will run through traffic over the middle.”

2). WR Vinny Anthony (UDFA)

  • 2025 Stats: 31 catches, 391 yards, 1 TD

The 6-foot, 190-pound wideout had better numbers during his 2024 season (39 catches for 672 receiving yards and four touchdowns), which could be why he went undrafted. Over his four seasons at Wisconsin, Anthony recorded 80 catches for 1,162 receiving yards and five touchdowns.

The former Badgers wideout should add some competition in the slot while bringing some much-needed kick return ability (1,075 career kick return yards and one touchdown at Wisconsin). Anthony was guaranteed $265,000 to sign with the Falcons, which likely increases his chances of making the initial 53-man roster.

Some NFL scouts feel Anthony could be better at the NFL level than he was in college.

“Anthony is an undersized target with underwhelming college production, but the foot quickness, ball skills and level of detail in his routes suggest his best football will come in an NFL offense,” wrote The Athletic’s Dane Brugler. “He projects best inside, despite most of his college reps having come on the outside.”

3). WR Keelan Marion (UDFA)

  • 2025 Stats: 57 catches, 746 yards, 2 TD

Marion began his career at Connecticut, recording 32 catches for 563 receiving yards over two seasons before transferring to BYU in 2021. After failing to make much of an impact with the Cougars, Marion transferred to Miami in 2025 and had a career year.

He finished the season with 57 catches for a 746 receiving yards and two touchdowns. Marion recorded 133 catches for 1,871 receiving yards and nine touchdowns over his five collegiate seasons.

Marion, like the others on this list, has experience as a kick returner. He returned 50 career kicks for 1,174 yards and two touchdowns. Marion showed some ability out of the backfield as well, rushing for 161 yards and five touchdowns over the last three seasons at BYU and Miami.

At 6-foot, 195 pounds, Marion’s role on offense would likely be in the slot. The former Hurricane is an above-average route runner and he’s quick enough to be a force after the catch.

4). WR Le’Meke Brockington (UDFA)

  • 2025 Stats: 46 catches, 484 yards, 4 TD

Brockington’s 2025 season was the best of his collegiate career, finishing with 484 receiving yards and four touchdowns. The 5-foot-11, 195-pound wideout appeared in 45 games for the Golden Gophers, recording 80 total catches for 1,042 receiving yards.

The former Minnesota standout also has some kick return ability, which is a common trait of many of the team’s latest wide receiver additions. Brockington averaged 26.8 yards per kick return over his four collegiate seasons. While his production at wide receiver was somewhat underwhelming, he has several traits that could translate to the NFL.

He doesn’t have elite speed but has good burst and strength as a receiver. Brockington even set a school record for wide receivers by squatting over 600 pounds.

Falcons’ undrafted free agents: 14 players signed

Check out the full list of Falcons UDFA signings below:

  1. QB Jack Strand, MSU-Moorhead: Atlanta met with Strand before the draft and now he joins the team as its fourth quarterback. Last season, Strand had 3,546 yards and 42 touchdowns with 14 interceptions.
  2. RB Cash Jones, Georgia: Jones met with the team ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft. The pass-catching weapon is someone to watch in training camp.
  3. TE Jack Velling, Michigan State: The Falcons have signed former Michigan State tight end Jack Velling. Last season, Velling had 36 catches for 359 receiving yards and three touchdowns over 12 games in East Lansing.
  4. WR Keelan Marion, Miami: The Falcons are signing undrafted Miami wide receiver Keelan Marion, per report. Marion had 57 receptions for 746 receiving yards and two touchdowns for the Hurricanes last season.
  5. WR Vinny Anthony, Wisconsin: The former Badgers wideout will reportedly get $265,000 guaranteed to join Atlanta. Last season, he had 31 catches for 391 receiving yards and one touchdown.
  6. WR Le’Meke Brockington, Minnesota: The Falcons also signed Minnesota wide receiver Le’Meke Brockington. Last season, he had 46 catches for 484 receiving yards and four touchdowns for the Golden Gophers.
  7. OL Kam Dewberry, Alabama: The Falcons are signing former Alabama’s Kam Dewberry. The former Crimson Tide offensive lineman gives the team another developmental guard prospect with some upside.
  8. OL Riley Mahlman, Wisconsin: The Falcons are signing Wisconsin offensive lineman Riley Mahlman. The 6-foot-8 left tackle is an intriguing developmental prospect.
  9. C James Brockermeyer, Miami: The Atlanta Falcons are signing Miami center James Brockermeyer. The former Hurricane offensive lineman can provide depth behind Ryan Neuzil in 2026.
  10. DT Carlos Allen, Houston: Atlanta has signed Houston defensive tackle Carlos Allen Jr. The Falcons needed help at defensive tackle and Allen is someone to watch in training camp.
  11. LB Daveren Rayner, Kentucky: The Falcons signed former Kentucky linebacker Daveren Rayner following their rookie minicamp.
  12. DL CJ Nunnally, Purdue: The Falcons have signed former Purdue defensive lineman CJ Nunnally.
  13. CB Malcolm Dewalt, Akron: The Falcons are signing Akron CB Malcolm Dewalt. Last season, he had two interceptions, one forced fumble and eight passes defended.
  14. LSPhilip Florenzo, Clemson: The Falcons have signed long snapper Philip Florenzo out of Clemson. Florenzo was one of just seven long snappers at the combine.

This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: Falcons resume OTAs: 4 rookie wide receivers look to impress

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