Falcons rookie WR Zachariah Branch reportedly no longer facing misdemeanor obstruction charges from pre-draft arrest

Former USC and Georgia wide receiver and return specialist Zachariah Branch was selected by the Atlanta Falcons in the third round of this year’s NFL Draft. Five days earlier, on April 19, he was arrested on misdemeanor obstruction charges for allegedly not following a police officer’s commands in Athens, Georgia.

Those charges have now been dismissed by Georgia state prosecutors who reviewed the evidence, including videos, Branch’s attorney, Kim Stephens, told multipleoutlets on Wednesday.

"Zachariah cooperated fully with law enforcement and did not commit a crime on the night of his arrest and never should have been arrested," Stephens said, per ESPN.

"We are glad this matter is over and that Mr. Branch's excellent reputation and good name [are] restored."

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Branch, 22, had attended the Georgia spring game on April 18. His brother, Zion Branch, plays safety for the Bulldogs. Zachariah Branch was arrested around 1:30 a.m. ET and was released a bit more than two hours later after posting a $39 bond.

Branch was arrested for allegedly blocking a public sidewalk, smirking when asked to move and warned about a potential citation and then not moving far enough thereafter, according to the police report, which circulated after NFL Network obtained it back in April. Police were on site after receiving a call that a large crowd had formed outside a bar, as reported by ESPN.

At the time a draft prospect, Branch was charged with obstructing public sidewalks/streets-prowling and obstructing a law enforcement officer.

Branch was projected as a Day 2 pick and still wound up hearing his name called on Day 2. He’s now part of a Falcons receiving corps that features the newly extended Drake London.

Last season at Georgia, the 5-foot-10 speedster set a single-season program record with 81 receptions. In the process, he accumulated 811 receiving yards and six receiving touchdowns.

He initially turned heads at the collegiate level with his return skills. In fact, Branch led the country with 332 punt-return yards as a true freshman at USC in 2023. That season, he housed both a punt and a kickoff.

With April’s legal situation now behind him, he can focus on hitting the ground running in the NFL.