Who Should I Start? Ja'Kobi Lane or Zachariah Branch


Week 1 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
4.7 0.3 0.0 1.5 22.2 0.1

Ja'Kobi Lane News

Ja'Kobi Lane a Redraft Sleeper to Target in 2026

Saturday, July 18, 11:17 AM

A third-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Ja'Kobi Lane is entering his rookie season with a chance to carve out a role in his team's passing game immediately. Across 11 games at USC in 2025, Lane recorded 49 catches for 745 yards and four touchdowns. The Ravens have a clear WR1 in Zay Flowers, but the team received underwhelming production from current starting outside wideouts Rashod Bateman and Devontez Walker in 2025. Along with fellow rookie Elijah Sarratt, Lane could emerge as a key downfield target for Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson if he performs well in training camp and the preseason. Baltimore also has a new coaching staff in place entering 2026. New play-caller Declan Doyle could look to open up the team's passing game a bit more, which could lead to more fantasy production overall from Ravens wide receivers this season. As the WR95 by current redraft ADP, Lane could be a sleeper name for fantasy managers to target at the end of drafts


Week 1 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
4.4 0.0 0.0 1.7 20.7 0.1

Zachariah Branch News

Zachariah Branch is "Always Open"

Friday, July 31, 9:17 AM

Atlanta Falcons rookie wide receiver Zachariah Branch received praise from quarterback Tua Tagovailoa during training camp on Friday, according to Tori McElhaney of the team's official website. "You see him, he's usually open," Tagovailoa said. The 22-year-old third-rounder out of the University of Georgia was also a standout during organized team activities in the spring, with Tagovailoa saying back then that the young pass-catcher reminded him of former Dolphins teammate Jaylen Waddle. That's pretty high praise. Branch could also have a path to immediate fantasy relevance in 2026 in his first year in the NFL, as none of Atlanta's WR spots are locked up besides Drake London as the unquestioned WR1. Branch will primarily be competing with former first-rounder Jahan Dotson and Olamide Zaccheaus for the WR2 role this summer. The small slot receiver could face durability concerns in the NFL, but his speed could make up for it. Branch will most likely go undrafted in most single-year fantasy formats, but he has the skills and opportunity to quickly emerge as a waiver-wire priority in Atlanta. RotoBaller has Branch ranked as the WR80 going into 2026.


Ja'Kobi Lane vs. Zachariah Branch

Still trying to decide between Lane and Branch? Check on the latest news to make sure both players are active and healthy. Our PPR projections show that Ja'Kobi Lane is projected to score 4.7 points this week while Zachariah Branch is projected to score 4.4 points.