Falcons list rookie as starting punt returner on depth chart

[ASFN Admin]

The Atlanta Falcons have released their depth chart for Friday's preseason opener against the Denver Broncos and there is a lot to unpack. Tua Tagovailoa was listed as the starting quarterback and will officially make his team debut on Friday night at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

While the Falcons didn't have a huge draft class, a few of their rookies are set to play key roles. Second-round pick Avieon Terrell was listed as the No. 2 nickel corner. Rookies Kendal Daniels and Harold Perkins are listed as second-string linebackers.

Zachariah Branch, Atlanta's third-round selection out of Georgia, was listed as the backup slot receiver behind Olamide Zaccheaus. However, Branch's special teams ability helped him clinch the starting punt returner job. During his freshman year at USC, Branch led the Pac-12 with 332 punt return yards and one touchdown.

The speedy wideout racked up 586 punt return yards and another 752 yards on kickoff returns over his three collegiate seasons at USC and Georgia. Branch's special teams ability will help him get on the field right away, but he should also have a big role on offense due to his versatility as a receiver.

The rookie has impressed early in training camp and despite his initial depth chart listing, we'd be surprised if Branch isn't one of the team's top three receivers this season.

Check out the team's full preseason Week 1 depth chart below.

Quarterback​

1. Tua Tagovailoa (1)
2. Cooper Rush (13)
3. Jack Strand (18)
4. Michael Penix Jr. (9)*

Running Back​

1. Bijan Robinson (7)
2. Brian Robinson Jr. (15)
3. Tyler Goodson (25)
4. Nathan Carter (38)
5. Cash Jones (32)
6. Trey Sermon (44)

Wide Receiver​

1. Drake London (5)
2. Chris Blair (19)
3. Antwane Wells Jr. (59)
4. Kristian Wilkerson (83)

Wide Receiver​

1. Jahan Dotson (4)
2. Dylan Drummond (80)
3. Keelan Marion (85)

Wide Receiver (slot)​

1. Olamide Zaccheaus (14)
2. Zachariah Branch (17)
3. Vinny Anthony II (86)

Tight End​

1. Kyle Pitts (8)
2. Austin Hooper (81)
3. Jack Velling (84)

Tight End​

1. Charlie Woerner (89)
2. Joshua Simon (47)
3. Nick Muse (87)

Left Tackle​

1. Jake Matthews (70)
2. Wanya Morris (79)
3. Riley Mahlman (76)

Left Guard​

1. Matthew Bergeron (65)
2. Andrew Stueber (74)
3. Kyle Hinton (68)
4. Layden Robinson (73)

Center​

1. Ryan Neuzil (64)
2. Corey Levin (62)
3. James Brockermeyer (66)

Right Guard​

1. Chris Lindstrom (63)
2. Layden Robinson (73)
3. Kam Dewberry (61)

Right Tackle​

1. Michael Jerrell (72)
2. Brandon Walton (67)
3. Ethan Onianwa (75)
4. Jawaan Taylor (71)*

Defensive End​

1. Cameron Thomas (99)
2. Azeez Ojulari (51)
3. James Pearce Jr. (27)
4. Keshawn Banks (59)

Defensive Line​

1. Maason Smith(92)
2. Zach Harrison (96)

Defensive Line​

1. Da'Shawn Hand (90)
2. Devonnsha Maxwell (91)
3. Marlon Tuipulotu (95)

Defensive Line​

1. LaCale London (94)
2. Chris Williams (93)
3. Carlos Allen Jr. (79)

Defensive End​

1. Brandon Dorlus (54)
2. Samson Ebukam (52)
3. Bralen Trice (48)
4. Cameron Sample (69)

Inside Linebacker​

1. Divine Deablo (0)
2. Kendal Daniels (53)
3. Josh Woods (46)
4. Channing Tindall (55)

Inside Linebacker​

1. Christian Harris (45)
2. Harold Perkins Jr. (56)
3. JD Bertrand (40)
4. Daveren Rayner (42)

Cornerback​

1. A.J. Terrell (24)
2. C.J. Henderson (26)
3. Cobee Bryant (37)
4. Jammie Robinson (34)

Cornerback​

1. Mike Hughes (21)
2. Clark Phillips III (22)
3. C.J. Henderson (26)
4. Malcolm DeWalt (36)

Nickel CB​

1. Darnay Holmes (30)
2. Avieon Terrell (12)
3. A.J. Woods (20)
4. Mike Ford Jr. (28)

Safety​

1. Jessie Bates III (3)
2. DeMarcco Hellams (23)
3. Darren Hall (41)

Safety​

1. Xavier Watts (31)
2. Sydney Brown (29)
3. Natrone Brooks (35)

Special Teams​

• LS: Liam McCullough (49)
• K: Nick Folk (6)
• P: Jake Bailey (16)
• KR: Brian Robinson Jr.
• PR: Zachariah Branch

Friday's game kicks off at 7 p.m. ET at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. The Falcons are expected to play their starters for about 10 snaps.

This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: Falcons list rookie as starting punt returner on depth chart

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