The Detroit Lions traded up three spots with the Green Bay Packers to select versatile Alabama defensive back Brian Branch.
The Lions heavily focused on improving their defensive back group this offseason with the signings of Cam Sutton, Emmanuel Mosley, and CJ Gardner-Johnson. Branch has a very similar play style to Gardner-Johnson, and it’ll be a massive opportunity to sit behind and learn from him. Branch will open up their flexibility on defense, allowing them to move their pieces around easily.
Branch shares a common trait with Lions Hall of Famer Calvin Johnson, attending the same high school where Branch enjoyed a strong career lining up everywhere on the field from the offense, defense, and special team. During his senior season, he forced nine turnovers while notching over 1,100 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns. He also dabbled in basketball during high school.
Branch was the do-it-all defensive back at Alabama, lining up in the slot and the box. His natural instincts allow him to sniff out any play and end it before it begins with effective tackling, which the Lions highly coveted after seeing many missed assignments. He takes the proper angles and can stick hip-to-hip with any receiver, plant his feet, and land any hit. The ultimate calling card is versatility being equally effective no matter where he lines up in the secondary.
Even though he may be undersized to some, and his testing numbers weren’t stellar, it doesn’t seem to hinder him at all, as he has been an effective defensive chess piece throughout his Alabama career.
Branch was one of the few players left in the green room today, but he stuck it out and was able to hear his name announced and give one of those patent commissioner hugs. Afterward, he mentioned how Detroit is getting a “Dawg” and looks forward to learning from CJ Gardner-Johnson. You have to believe he will come in with that chip on his shoulder and show everyone he plays against that they shouldn’t have passed on it. Finally, the Lions get a high-character defensive weapon who should’ve gone a lot earlier, and good on them for pulling the trigger to bring him to Detroit.
Grade: A+
