{"id":823727,"date":"2026-03-20T20:23:47","date_gmt":"2026-03-20T20:23:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/823727\/"},"modified":"2026-03-20T20:23:47","modified_gmt":"2026-03-20T20:23:47","slug":"report-steelers-had-pro-day-dinner-with-georgia-wr-zachariah-branch-update","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/823727\/","title":{"rendered":"Report: Steelers Had Pro Day Dinner With Georgia WR Zachariah Branch (Update)"},"content":{"rendered":"

UPDATE:\u00a0In addition to Branch, the Steelers met with WR Dillon Bell, he said in an interview via 11Alive<\/a>. The team also met with RB Cash Jones, a versatile player who could be a slot WR and returner at the next level, per Bo Marchionte of college2pro.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Our original story is below.<\/p>\n

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The Pittsburgh Steelers\u2019 tradition of Pro Day dinners has continued even without Mike Tomlin, as team brass had dinner with Georgia WR Zachariah Branch while they were in Athens for Georgia\u2019s Pro Day. That news comes from Essentially Sports\u2019 Tony Pauline<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Branch is one of the most explosive playmakers in the 2026 NFL Draft, spending last season at Georgia after transferring from USC. We know Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy<\/a> and general manager Omar Khan attended Georgia\u2019s Pro Day, as well as scouts Ike Taylor and Zack Crockett.<\/p>\n

Even after trading for Michael Pittman Jr., receiver remains a Steelers need. Branch projects as Day 2 selection, and in our scouting report, Ryan Paglia gave Branch an 8.3 (long-term starter) grade and compared him to Houston Texans WR Tank Dell. The knock on Branch is that he ran a limited route tree at Georgia, with the team utilizing him in screens and looking to get him the ball in space. That\u2019s something that could work for the Steelers, especially if Aaron Rodgers returns. The team\u2019s offense relied on yards after the catch last season, something that Branch could excel at in the NFL.<\/p>\n

The dinner with Branch is the first known Pro Day one for the Steelers, but it\u2019s something Omar Khan spoke to the importance of<\/a> at the Combine. Georgia\u2019s Pro Day was also the first one we know that Khan and McCarthy attended, continuing a tradition as the Steelers have been staples at UGA. In just the past few years, the Steelers have drafted Broderick Jones, Darnell Washington and George Pickens out of Georgia.<\/p>\n

The team hasn\u2019t selected a Georgia Bulldog since 2023, however, and this could be the year that changes. LB CJ Allen has been connected to the Steeler<\/a>s in the first round, and now there\u2019s a clear connection with Branch as well. The team also held a formal meeting with Branch and Georgia CB Daylen Everette at the Combine. During Georgia\u2019s Pro Day, Ike Taylor was spotted having a conversation with Everette, another potential Day 2 selection.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s unknown if other Georgia players were at the dinner, as Pauline specifically mentioned Branch, but the Steelers usually try to have multiple players attend if possible. Either way, Branch is now a name to circle as the Steelers have two key touchpoints with him after a Combine meeting and a Pro Day dinner.<\/p>\n