While the Las Vegas Raiders are likely going to use the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft on a quarterback, wide receiver is another big need to keep an eye on. Jakobi Meyers got traded during the season, and nobody stepped up to replace him.
Tre Tucker is a solid player, but Jack Bech and Dont’e Thornton didn’t show enough as rookies to suggest they’ll be impact players. If the Raiders want to double down on offense in the second round, there should be plenty of good wide receiver talent available.
One obvious fit is Georgia wide receiver Zachariah Branch. Not only is he from Las Vegas, Nevada, but he’s also the nephew of late Raiders Hall of Fame wide receiver Cliff Branch.
He’s currently at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, and he revealed that he has already met with the Raiders. He gave some thoughts on the meeting and what it would be like to play for his hometown team.
“Meeting with the Raiders was pretty cool. … Had a good time, especially home town team,” Brand said at the Combine. “Talked about Cliff Branch and the history in my family. So proud that he’s in the Hall of Fame, as well.”
Draft Profile on Branch
Just like his uncle, Branch is known for his speed. He’s a very fast wide receiver. He does most of his work in the slot, but his speed should make it easy to use him in multiple ways.
In Lance Zierlein’s scouting report for NFL.com on Branch ahead of the draft, he praised the wide receiver’s big-play ability, but thinks he needs work as a route runner.
“Slot receiver who can turn routine touches into explosive gains,” Zierlein wrote. “Georgia prioritized quick touches at or behind the line of scrimmage to take advantage of Branch’s ability to slip tackles and add yards after catch. I expect to see more choice routes and deep crossers rolled into his workload as a pro. His routes are rushed and rounded, though. He will jump unnecessarily to make catches, which subjects him to added punishment from defenders. Branch is strong for his size and very tough. He could be pigeon-holed into a “manufactured touch” role, but he’s capable of more. He should help move the sticks and return punts before eventually settling in as a starting slot.”
Raiders Might Have Bigger Needs
Branch has a chance to be a very good player at the NFL level, but his skillset might be a bit redundant to Tucker. Plus, the Raiders arguably have bigger needs than wide receiver.
Though Bech didn’t show much last season, he was a second-round pick a year ago. The Raiders will likely want to give him a bigger role in the offense. Plus, the Raiders should likely use their second-round pick to address the defense since they’re likely using the first-round pick on a quarterback.
In the last draft, they also used the first two picks on offense. The defense has very little talent and virtually no depth. The wide receiver need is real, but the Raiders need talent on defense.
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