Report: Saints held private workout with explosive WR Zachariah Branch

By Ross Jackson

The New Orleans Saints continue their pre-draft tour of this year’s talented wide receiver class, this time checking in on one of the group’s most explosive weapons. 

Per ESPN’s Field Yates, the Saints held a private workout with Georgia wideout Zachariah Branch. 

The Saints recently held a private workout with Georgia WR Zachariah Branch, which also included some punt return work.

Branch, who ran a 4.35 at the combine, is one of the best returners in the entire class and had the second-most yards after the catch of any player in the…

— Field Yates (@FieldYates) March 27, 2026

Branch is an impressive talent possessing some of the best run after catch skills in this year’s class. When he was with the USC Trojans, he was utilized more as a downfield threat, a talent that was underutilized in Georgia.

His abilities as a yards after catch threat, stretching the field and operating out of the slot would each check boxes for some of the Saints’ biggest needs and wants out of the position. 

Beyond what he can provide offensively, Branch also has extensive experience as a returner. 

In 2023, Branch led the FBS in yards per punt return with a 20.8-yard average and surpassed the typical 10-yard per return threshold in 2025, averaging 12 yards per punt return. He has both a kick and punt return touchdown on his career ledger. 

Branch is a name to watch for New Orleans on the second day of the draft. The 5-foot-9, 177-pound receiver blazed a 4.35 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine and added a 38-inch vertical leap, 10-foot-5 broad jump and put up 20 reps on the 225-pound bench press. 

He led the SEC with 81 receptions totaling 811 receiving yards and six touchdown catches in 2025.