Zachariah Branch
Listed as 5'10 and 180lbs. Frankly I think both are probably a little bit generous. Not good or bad automatically, just worth noting so you know the kind of player you're getting.
First the good. He is fast. Very fast. But the speed while really good isn't that next level speed of a guy in the 4.30s I think. Or if it is it isn't that super game changing speed. Not to say it won't be extremely useful, but this isn't a guy who will be singular in the NFL or anything. He has a fantastic shake move while in motion. Defenders bite on it all the time. He sells it completely too with his stutter step and head movement. You can't really be sure if he is changing direction on you or not until he does or doesn't. His acceleration is really good too. Not elite IMO, but very good. Probably among the top in this class. But again, not that next level acceleration. Probably not talked about, he has a very good feel for special awareness at different speeds. He can slow down or speed up just about the right amount needed. Some guys over compensate and slow down or take an angle more than they should. Branch is really tight with his choices in traffic and looks efficient with his positioning.
Now the bad. Way too much body catching. He has caught well with his hands at times which i saw, but when you see his hand size compared to the ball you understand him trying to use his chest or forearm to assist him. I think if a ball is thrown too fast and away from his body he probably lacks the hand strength or palm area to really get a handle on it. For a guy his size, he lacks agility, at least from what i saw. He has his shake and stutter step. Even a bunny hope back. But his sideways speed to me didn't look impressive. For a while i thought he was just trying to go north to south. The more i saw the more convinced I was his side away movement is lacking. Also didn't look like he had a great route tree, particularly a vertical route tree. But this may have just been QB limitations. Can't be sure. However when you see a guy with this speed catch so much underneath stuff and not break 11 YPR in any of his 3 years with that kind of speed... it gives you pause.
Branch is a very likable prospect for a lot of reasons. But there were a lot of things that looked to be red flags to me. You'd like to think he has soon to improve and some of his borderline elite traits you can build off of should be more than enough for a higher end grade. But when i see disconnects, potential red flags along with lack of true elite traits... I just got hesitant with an an over investment. Frankly, something about the whole package feels 'bust' to me. For that I can't give this talented player any higher than a 4th rd ranking and on the low end of it.
