Brian Branch - NFL Mock Draft Roundup

Brian Branch is the type of versatile defensive back that can make an already outstanding Jets defense even better. He can win from the slot and win in run support and coverage while also showcasing the ability to do the same from deeper alignments.

Alabama does a lot of pattern matching in the secondary and that requires communication. Nick Saban trusted Brian Branch to fulfill that role in his defense. New York has two quality boundary cornerbacks and now it has another intelligent player in the secondary.

The [Commanders] can't cover anyone, thanks to William Jackson being a complete bust as a free agent signing. They desperately need someone new to stay with A.J. Brown and CeeDee Lamb.

Brian Branch has nice size and cover ability.

Like last year, it's not like Buffalo desperately needs anything. It has to get a guard, and another wide receiver would be a plus, but those areas can be dealt with later. Branch is a versatile tough guy of a safety who would step right into an already good situation.

Branch did everything on the back seven of Alabama's defense this past season. He'll be a welcomed addition to the Packers roster.

As the lone NFC East team to not make the playoffs, the Commanders have a number of needs to figure out in the draft. Branch can play all over the back end and provides plenty of leadership for a team undergoing a bit of a transition.

The Eagles' defense has been key to their success this season, and replenishing talent in the backfield is a must. Brian Branch was tailor-made for the slot but was just as effective at safety for the Crimson Tide. You want him near the ball as much as possible, and he serves as an insurance policy for C.J. Gardner-Johnson.

The Russell Wilson trade was huge for the Seahawks ...

Having used the first-round pick they received in that trade on the defensive front, now the Seahawks turn to the secondary. Seattle has a need at safety, and Branch is the best of the bunch. But describing him as a safety does not do him justice, as he aligned everywhere for the Crimson Tide over his collegiate career.

This season alone saw him used everywhere on the field. He saw snaps as a boundary corner, a split-field safety, a post safety, a box safety, and a slot defender, and he even was used as a pass rusher off the edge in certain situations. He is perhaps at his best in zone coverage situations, as his feel for the game makes him a threat to opposing passers. His interception against Kansas State in the Sugar Bowl — which saw him peel off an inside receiver and jump a hitch route on the outside — is a prime example.

Brian Branch isn't the first name you hear about when the conversation turns to Alabama's defense, but maybe he should be. He's a sure tackler, can blitz off the edge, and is solid in coverage. And if Nick Saban trusts him, that's all you need to know about his NFL prospects.

The Packers fell from 13-4 in 2021 to 8-9. QB Aaron Rodgers had an off year — 26 TD passes and 12 interceptions. The Packers do not heed an overhaul. They have enough talent to do better.

Played 40 games in three years, produced four interceptions and 27 passes defended.

Branch can play both safety and slot corner for the Bills. This is certainly a position the Bills need to address this offseason.

While many of the Packers' decisions will hinge on Aaron Rodgers' future, one thing is certain. Green Bay needs to overhaul their options at safety. Heading into 2022, safety seemed like a position of strength with established starters in Adrian Amos and Darnell Savage. However, each fell short of lofty expectations while simultaneously earning the worst PFF grades of their careers. Savage, who whiffed on 18.8% of his tackle attempts and allowed a passer rating of 100.7 in coverage, was benched for a five-game stretch before reappearing in the slot down the stretch. Amos allowed a passer rating of 121.9, a jump of 35.8 over his highest passer rating from 2017-2021, while also allowing 6 TDs. To make matters worse, Amos' dead cap hit and Savage's guaranteed fifth-year option will combine to count nearly $16 million against the cap in 2023.

Alabama's Brian Branch could be an intriguing option for the Packers in RD1. Branch would be a bit of a projection as a full-time safety, as 70% of his snaps have come from the slot and he has just 101 career snaps from a free safety alignment. However, Branch was credited with just three missed tackles on 92 attempts last season and appears to have the physical skills to handle the move. In addition, he allowed a passer rating of just 69.3 across 57 targets. With his versatility, reliability as a tackler, and coverage skills, Branch could be the perfect fit in a retooled Packers secondary

Philadelphia made a preseason trade to acquire safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson, but he had such a great season that he might be too expensive for the Eagles to bring back. In that case, this pick is the best like-for-like replacement -- Branch can play as a slot corner or a deep center fielder, filling Gardner-Johnson's shoes. Branch is my top-ranked safety, but he'll be a cornerback on some teams' boards. I projected the Eagles to add a defensive tackle with the No. 10 pick, and injecting this defense with young talent should be their offseason priority.

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