Brian Branch NFL Draft Overview
Position: Safety
Height: 6’ 0”
Weight: 190 pounds
School: Alabama
2023 NFL Draft: Brian Branch Scouting Report
Brian Branch was a standout safety at Alabama alongside fellow safety prospect Jordan Battle. He was tremendous for the Crimson Tide’s defense and was very versatile at the safety position. Last season, he had 90 total tackles and 14 of those go for a loss, for a total of 56 yards lost. He also had two interceptions, nine PDs, and three sacks. He received second-team All-SEC honors in 2022 and was one of Alabama’s leaders on the defensive side of the ball.
Branch flaunts tremendous run defense grades and was the third-highest-graded safety overall in 2022. He was very versatile and was able to fill many different roles on the offense. Branch played primarily as a free safety but had tons of different alignments this year. He attacked the run well and was rather decent in coverage despite his smaller size. In his three-year career at Alabama, Branch tallied 27 PDs, four interceptions, and 20 tackles behind the line.
Strengths
- Very complete and well-balanced safety
- Very versatile and will fill various roles
- Features a plug-and-play style with decent physicality
- Very explosive and can ‘turn on the jets’; punt return experience
- Rather agile and can make quick turns
Weaknesses
- 4.58 40-time shows below-average speed and somewhat-reduced athleticism
- Doesn’t have the best reads; vulnerable or leaky at times
- Doesn’t have much experience in man coverage
- Smaller frame leads to lowered physicality
NFL Comparison: Slower Minkah Fitzpatrick
Teams With Need At Position: Pittsburgh Steelers, Buffalo Bills, Cincinnati Bengals, Philadelphia Eagles, Kansas City Chiefs, New Orleans Saints, Los Angeles Chargers
Projection: First-Round Pick (Mid-Round)
Bottom Line on Brian Branch
Branch’s play style can easily be compared to Minkah Fitzpatrick. Both Alabama alumni, the two have great range and versatility. The only difference is that Branch is smaller and slower. A few of the biggest concerns with Branch are his lower athleticism grades and his smaller and less-imposing frame. But his overall impact in all aspects of the game, paired with his versatility, makes him an enticing top pick.
Branch is the clear-cut safety #1 in this class, and for good reason. He was very well-balanced at Alabama, performing well in both the run and passing games. He was a good downhill hitter despite his smaller frame and penetrated the line for plenty of tackles for loss. Although not credited with many turnovers, he certainly forced a few too with his positioning and reputation. Branch was very good in coverage too, even though he was taking on some of the best receivers in the nation every week in SEC play. Branch’s overall versatility and willingness to help a team out wherever should help him in the NFL and make him a rather successful safety. As of now, Branch is projected to go in the mid-to-late first round, going to a team as early as the Steelers (17th) or as late as the Chiefs and Eagles (30th and 31st).
