ESPN Tracker (Brian Branch - 1
POS RK, 30
OVR RK, 88
GRADE. Pre-Draft Analysis - Branch developed into a reliable cover safety last season and he's capable of matching up with many receivers. He played the "star" position in Alabama's defense and can play nickel or free safety at the next level. He has above-average ball skills. He lacks ideal size but plays with gap control and knows how to leverage the run. Branch has the quick feet and hands to keep off blocks. -- Steve Muench. Matt Miller's NFL comp: Jalen Pitre. Post-Draft Analysis - The Lions aggressively addressed their defensive backfield in free agency and do well to land Branch here. Expect the Lions to play a lot of three-safety looks with C.J. Gardner-Johnson, Kerby Joseph and Branch that take advantage of their versatility. -- Muench): https://www.espn.com/nfl/draft/teams/_/name/det/detroit-lions
NFL.com Brooks Analysis (Brian Branch: Many observers voiced their outrage at Detroit's two first-round picks, but their two second-rounders might reel some of those folks back in. Branch might not have tested like a first-rounder, but his instincts and versatility (ability to play safety and nickel) are high quality. This secondary seems pretty legit all of a sudden.): https://www.nfl.com/news/2023-nfl-draft-pick-by-pick-analysis-for-day-2
Fox sports (45. Detroit Lions (trade from Green Bay): Brian Branch, S, Alabama - Rang: Like Robinson a few spots earlier, Branch stars at a position few teams can justify spending a top-10 selection to address. He is the most reliable open-field tackler in this draft, however.): https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/2023-nfl-draft-picks-and-analysis-round-2-live
ESPN Analysis (Round 2, No. 45 overall: Brian Branch S, Alabama - My take: Detroit traded up three spots to land their second Alabama product of the draft in Branch, who is expected to contribute immediately as part of a reworked secondary. The second-team All-American is a sure tackler, which was an issue for the Lions last season. Branch converted 98% of his tackle attempts in 2022, which ranked No. 1 among all FBS defensive backs. Detroit’s defense allowed 82 plays of 20-plus yards last season, which were the most in the NFL. Ties to the team to know: Branch went to Sandy Creek HS in Georgia, the same as former Lions great Calvin Johnson. The Lions have now selected two players from Alabama (Gibbs and Branch) and two players from Iowa (Campbell and LaPorta) in the first two rounds. Branch, who played a hybrid safety/cornerback role at Alabama, could help solve the Lions’ issues at slot cornerback -- a position that allowed 10 touchdowns with zero interceptions as the nearest defender this past season, which was the most such touchdowns allowed by any team last season. Branch lined up in the slot for 539 of 737 defensive snaps at Alabama, which were the sixth-most snaps by any player in the Power 5. So, he has a ton of experience there.): https://www.espn.com/blog/detroit-lions/post/_/id/39077/detroit-lions-nfl-draft-picks-2023-analysis-for-every-selection
PFF (R2 (45) DETROIT LIONS (VIA GB): S BRIAN BRANCH, ALABAMA - Pick Grade: Elite. The Lions have made several big “reaches” already in this draft based on PFF and consensus big boards, but they get one of the better values here with Branch. He’s the best nickel prospect in this draft class and one of the best tackling defensive backs since PFF began tracking college football in 2014 (2% missed tackle rate).): https://www.pff.com/news/draft-2023-nfl-draft-grades-all-day-2-picks
2023 NFL Draft: Round 2 Reaction For Every Pick (Rd2.No.45 Lions (via GB) – Brian Branch, FS, Alabama: A Norris Division trade enables Detroit to move up 10 spots and leapfrog New England for the Bama chess piece in Branch, who is smart, instinctual and will outplay his draft slot.): https://www.si.com/nfl/draft/news/2023-nfl-draft-round-2-reaction-for-every-pick
Grades:
SN (Grade: A+. The Lions continue their secondary upgrading this offseason after getting Cameron Sutton, C.J. Gardner-Johnson and Emmanuel Moseley in free agency. Branch gives them good inside coverage versatility, from starting next to Gardner-Johnson to starring as the nickel.): https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nfl/draft/2023/team/detroit-lions/5dqwb6vkqhagy6no1kbg1dnga
Walter football (Detroit Lions: Brian Branch, S, Alabama - A+ Grade. Brian Branch's fall finally ends. He should have been taken off the board 20 picks ago, so I can't blame the Lions for leaping up 10 spots to select him. Branch is a very versatile defensive back who can play anywhere in the secondary, so he'll be a great fit for a secondary that needed one more piece. This is a great value selection, so I'm willing to give it an A+.): https://walterfootball.com/nfldraftgrades.php
Yahoo (14 (45). Detroit Lions (from Packers): Brian Branch, DB, Alabama — This is the best pick the Lions have made by far in this draft. This pick would have been fine at No. 12 where they took Jahmyr Gibbs. Branch can do just about anything for the Lions' secondary outside of playing outside corner. Great pick. Grade: A+): https://sports.yahoo.com/2023-nfl-draft-second-round-instant-grades-for-all-32-picks-012417477.html
Touchdown wire (45. Detroit Lions (from Green Bay Packers): Brian Branch, DB, Alabama. Grade: A+. I have absolutely no clue how Branch lasted this long. But the Lions benefited from the drop suffered by Nick Saban’s latest multi-position defensive back, and Branch reminds me a lot of Minkah Fitzpatrick, his predecessor in Saban’s defense in that he can play well all over your secondary, but he might be at his best in the deep third. He’ll be worked with Chauncey Gardner-Johnson and Kerby Joseph in Aaron Glenn’s defense, and that should restore the roar in that safety room.): https://touchdownwire.usatoday.com/lists/2023-nfl-draft-grades-joey-porter-jr-will-levis/
Instant grade of the Detroit Lions selection of DB Brian Branch (Grade: A+): https://lionswire.usatoday.com/2023/04/28/instant-grade-of-the-detroit-lions-selection-of-db-brian-branch/
CBS (45. Lions: Brian Branch, CB, Alabama - Grade: A. Best tackling defensive back I've ever scouted. Instinctive playmaker in coverage at intermediate level. Extensive slot defender experience. Just a lesser athlete. Will be fun with Chauncey Gardner-Johnson.): https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/2023-nfl-draft-order-grades-tracker-analysis-and-projections-for-every-second-round-picks-nfl-draft-order/
FTW (Detroit Lions from Green Bay Packers (45): Brian Branch, S, Alabama - Branch is a versatile piece of the secondary who can fill multiple roles. Need a safety? He’s got you. Someone to handle a monster in the slot? Yep. You can even slide him outside and he’ll hold his own. Now, he joins a secondary that’s quietly and efficiently been reworked this spring, pushing the Lions’ division title hopes — their first in more than 30 years — to new heights. Grade: A): https://ftw.usatoday.com/lists/nfl-draft-second-round-grades-tracker-2023
PFN (Round 2, Pick 45 - Brian Branch, DB, Alabama. Grade: A+. The Lions have fielded early criticism for their lack of value in the first few rounds of the 2023 NFL Draft, but they make up for any reaches ten-fold with this pick. Midway through the second round, the Lions aggressively traded up and landed Alabama DB Brian Branch. Branch’s niche skill set, combined with his non-elite deep speed, might have contributed to his fall. But at the end of the day, he’s one of the most physical DBs in the class, both in coverage and in support. He’s an amped-up short-area athlete with great fluidity, off-man technique, and explosiveness, with the vision and instincts to smother receivers and make plays on the ball. The Lions get another dynamic, versatile piece in their ascending secondary.): https://www.profootballnetwork.com/overall-nfl-draft-grades-2023/
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