Brian Branch, DB Alabama: 2023 NFL Draft Profile

Branch was a four-star recruit from Sandy Creek High School in Tyrone, Ga. in the class of 2020

Alabama’s Brian Branch is the top safety-nickel hybrid with a chance to go in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft. However, it wouldn’t be shocking if he fell into the second round on draft night.

Visit my Twitter account @Sam_Teets33 for more opinions on prospects, clips, and the latest football content.

Brian Branch, DB Alabama: 2023 NFL Draft Profile

Classification: Junior slot defender and safety from Fayetteville, Ga.

Background: Branch was a four-star recruit from Sandy Creek High School in Tyrone, Ga. in the class of 2020. He was the No. 61 recruit according to 247Sports, No. 82 for Rivals, and No. 70 for On3.com. ESPN ranked him 106th in the nation with an 84 grade out of 100. Branch finished his high school career as Sandy Creek’s all-time leader in interceptions. As a senior, the conference coaches named him the Georgia 5A Ironman of the Year, given to the top two-way player. Coaches voted Branch the All-County Defensive Player of the Year in 2018. That season, he amassed 58 tackles, six passes defensed, and five interceptions. He also played wide receiver and contributed on special teams. Branch was selected for the All-American Bowl.

Injuries & Off-Field: Exited the Arkansas (2022) matchup early with an injury but didn’t miss a game

Awards: 2022 Second-Team All-SEC (Associated Press), 2022 Second-Team All-American

Pros: Special teams experience on the kick return, kick coverage, punt return, and punt coverage units, significant experience in the slot and box, age, low backpedal, feet are controlled and precise, transitions from off man into pattern matching in the slot, reads the quarterback’s eyes, patient and poised in coverage, quick to close on comeback and underneath routes, instincts lead to him undercutting throws for breakups, makes diving pass breakups, not afraid to get physical with the receiver early in the route, processes multiple threats in zone quickly, plays leverage well in bracket coverages, good understanding or leverage and where his help is, quick to come downhill and challenge screens, fights through WR blocks, splash playmaker as a slot blitzer, thumps running backs in pass pro, balanced and consistent tackler, patient and willing run defender, plays above his weight, tough player who will lay big hits

Cons: Committed five penalties in 2022, undersized frame, arm length, lacks twitch and suddenness, not a bursty or explosive athlete, change of direction skills are modest, speed concerns make it unlikely he’ll ever play press or soft-shoe press against receivers, receivers will blow by him in off-man coverage, must give slot receivers a significant cushion in man coverage, lacks recovery speed and elite deep speed, lacks range for one-high safety role, late to react to pick or rub routes, bites on double moves, gets grabby and will draw flags, sometimes bear hugs receivers mid-route, size affects him at the catch point vs. larger players, largely ineffective as a blitzer when faced with contact

Overview: Branch took official measurements at the NFL Combine. He’s 5115 and weighs 190 lbs. He has 9 4/8-inch hands, 30 6/8-inch arms, and a 75 2/8-inch wingspan. Branch enters the NFL with special teams experience on the kick return, kick coverage, punt return, and punt coverage units. He’s a versatile defensive back with significant experience in the slot and box. Branch won’t turn 22 until October. He stays low in his backpedal and plays with controlled, precise footwork. The Georgia native transitions from off-man into pattern matching in the slot. He is patient and poised in coverage, avoiding potential missteps. Branch quickly closes on comeback and underneath routes to limit YAC or force incompletions. He reads the quarterback’s eyes and instinctively undercuts routes for diving pass breakups. Branch isn’t afraid to get physical with the receiver early in the route. He processes multiple threats in zone quickly and plays with a high football IQ. The former four-star recruit plays leverage well in bracket coverages and generally understands how to utilize leverage at a high level. He’s quick to come downhill and challenge screens by fighting through wide receiver blocks. Branch makes big time plays as a slot blitzer and will challenge running backs in pass protection. He is a balanced and consistent tackler who is a patient and willing contributor in run defense. Branch plays above his weight and lays big hits. Unfortunately, the junior has an undersized frame with poor arm length. He lacks twitch and suddenness and isn’t a bursty or explosive athlete. Branch’s change of direction skills are modest, and he lacks the speed to play a significant volume of snaps in true press or soft-shoe press against slot receivers. Receivers overtake him in off-man coverage and blow past him even though he gives them a significant cushion. Branch doesn’t have recovery speed and elite deep speed in his arsenal, which makes him an unlikely candidate for single-high safety assignments. The All-American is late to react to pick or rub routes and bites on double moves. He gets grabby when beaten by better athletes and draws flags. Branch sometimes bear hugs receivers or tight ends mid-route, and that won’t go unnoticed in the NFL. His size affects him at the catch point against larger opponents. He is largely ineffective as a blitzer when faced with contact.

Overall, Branch is a versatile defensive back with an elite mentality and football mind, but he’s an athletically limited player who might lose his slot duties at the next level. The All-American will make any defense he joins better, but modern slot corners are generally faster and more agile than Branch. He could settle into a role as a two-high safety and tight end eraser.

Role & Scheme Fit: Free safety in a two-high scheme with slot defender versatility

Round Projection: Late First to Early Second

Player Comparison: N/A

Submitted: 04-11-23