Zachariah Branch’s unusual debut still gave Falcons something to be excited about

Atlanta Falcons rookie wide receiver Zachariah Branch finished Sunday's 20-13 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers without a reception, let alone target, hardly the kind of debut that will stand out on a box score - He also did not get much of an opportunity in the passing game, running just eight routes, according to NBC Sports.

So while the third-round pick's debut didn't go according to plan on offense, her certainly made the most of the opportunity on special teams.

There was one play that showed exactly what Branch can bring to Atlanta… With the Falcons down in the second quarter, Branch lined up as the team's kick returner for the first time in a regular season game - and he displayed the explosiveness that made them use the 79th overall pick on him.

He fielded the kick and immediately streaked down the sideline for what would have been a 64-yard kick return and offered the offense excellent field position. The play was unfortunately wiped out by a holding call on Josh Woods, but it did not erase what the third-round rookie showed on the play.

Branch did not need a designed offensive touch to show his explosiveness. Give him a little space, and he can turn an ordinary special teams play into a potential field position swing.

Zachariah Branch is making a role for the Falcons on special teams

Now there is also no reason to panic about Zachariah Branch's lack of involvement as a receiver. For starters, Cooper Rush was the starter. Everyone not named Bijan Robinson wasn't very involved in the passing game.

The Atlanta Falcons have Drake London and Jahan Dotson ahead of him, while Olamide Zaccheaus also saw more traditional receiver work Sunday. Branch played one more offensive snap than Zaccheaus, though, and his eight routes were only three fewer than Zaccheaus ran.

That suggests Atlanta is already finding ways to get Branch involved, even if his offensive role remains limited. The Falcons' own offseason evaluation pointed toward Branch potentially making his biggest early impact on special teams. His first taste of regular season action backed that up.

But if he keeps this up, don't be shocked if this role expands as the season goes on.

The Georgia product was already expected to be something of a developmental piece at receiver, and there is plenty of time for the Falcons to manufacture touches for him. The bigger takeaway from Week 1 is that his speed is real, and Atlanta has a way to get that speed on the field immediately.

A kick return that did not count was not enough to change the outcome in Pittsburgh. The holding call made sure of that. Still, Falcons fans finally got to see Branch in a regular season uniform, and the first glimpse was encouraging after he logged three punt returns for 33 yards and a 30-yard kick return.

The catches will have to come eventually. For now, Zachariah Branch is already showing that he can make an impact without playing a key role on offense.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow