Brian Branch Draft Profile and Scouting Report
Brian Branch Scouting Report: Defensive Back, Alabama Crimson Tide, #14
2023 NFL Draft Measurements
6’0” / 193 lbs.
Brian Branch 40 Time – 4.45-4.50 estimated range
Brian Branch NFL Draft Profile
High School
Brian Branch is a former 4-star recruit from Sandy Creek High School in Tyrone, Georgia. According to 247sports, Branch was the 6th best player in the state of Georgia. Some of the players he was ranked behind were Will Anderson, Myles Murphy, Broderick Jones, and Jahmyr Gibbs. He was also the 3rd best safety in the nation behind Jaylon Jones and Antonio Johnson. While achieving this status, he received 27 total division I offers. After visiting Oklahoma, Georgia Tech, and Alabama, he decided to play for the Crimson Tide.
College
According to ESPN, as a true freshman, he played in 9 games. In those nine games, he had 19 solo tackles, 2 interceptions, and 7 pass breakups. Three of those PBUs came from the National Championship game against Ohio State. Although this season was solid, he really stepped it up as a sophomore. He had 34 solo tackles, 1 sack, 1 fumble recovery, and 9 PBUs. He was also one of the big reasons why Cincinnati didn’t score a TD in the CFP Semifinal. Finally, as a junior, he recorded 58 solo tackles, 3 sacks, 2 interceptions, and 7 PBUs.
Brian Branch Strengths
Zone Coverage
Brian Branch is one of the best zone coverage defensive backs in the nation. He has incredible awareness that allows him to know where everyone is around him. Branch is also very good at keeping his eyes on the QB when dropping back into his zone. When the QB releases the ball, Branch can quickly read where he is throwing the ball. Then, he can use his amazing acceleration to make a jump on the ball and deflect away the pass. Branch also does a good job of staying with receivers who enter his zone. He then reads the field and can see if he should disengage or stay with the receiver to not allow an easy catch.
Football IQ
As I just mentioned, Branch is incredibly aware in zone coverage. This is primarily due to his above-average football IQ. Prior to the snap, Branch does a good job of diagnosing the offense and adjusting his leverage. There were several snaps where I saw Branch change from having inside leverage to outside leverage. This was because he realized that his receiver was going to run an outside route. Although he is good at reading the defense, he can also quickly react after the snap. On WR and bubble screens, Branch does a good job of leaving his coverage and quickly closing out on the target. He then relies on his elite tackling ability to bring down the ball carrier for a loss. When dropping back into zone coverage, he can read the QB’s eyes and quickly react to make a stop.
Man Coverage
Some other scouts have concerns about Branch’s man coverage ability. Personally, I think he is good enough in man coverage to be effective in the NFL. Branch has fluid and quick hips which allows him to mirror his target when playing in soft coverage. When his target makes a break at the top of their route stem, he does a good job of staying with them. This is due to his ability to sink his hips and accelerate quickly in another direction. In the middle of the field, he is also good at staying glued to the receiver’s hip. This lets him jump the route and deflect the pass.
Athleticism
Although Branch doesn’t have the elite top speed, he has enough to get the job done. As I mentioned earlier, I am impressed with his ability to accelerate downhill and stop screen plays. When dropping back into zone coverage, he shows incredible foot speed and balance. When mirroring the receiver, he does a good job of avoiding unnecessary contact. He also has good body control to put himself in the right position to deflect the ball in the air.
Brian Branch Weaknesses
Play Strength
Brian Branch needs to work on his play strength before he can be effective in the NFL. Against the run, he struggles to shed blocks and get to the ball carrier in the backfield. If the running back works toward the outside, he does a better job of making the stop. Branch is also below average at jamming the receiver at the line of scrimmage. This is the only major concern that I have surrounding his man coverage ability.
Ball Skills
Although Branch is good at breaking up passes, he needs to work on coming down with the interception. In congested areas, Branch has below-average grip strength which hinders his ability to force turnovers. Not only does he lack grip strength, but he also looks more comfortable when deflecting passes.
Brian Branch Draft Stock
Brian Branch’s draft stock is difficult to narrow down. Nflmockdraftdatabase has Branch as the 18th best prospect in the draft. Personally, I think he should be ranked slightly higher than that. His overall skillset makes me believe that he is a top-15 talent. But since safety is not a highly valued position, he will likely go around pick 20.
Final Thoughts on Brian Branch Scouting Report
Brian Branch is easily the best safety in the 2023 NFL Draft class. He has a very high football IQ which allows him to diagnose the offense before the snap. After the ball is snapped, he can quickly work back into his coverage due to his foot speed. In man coverage, he shows off his fluid hips when mirroring his target. Regardless of the coverage he is in, he is very good at keeping his eye on the QB. This allows him to read where the ball is going and get a good jump on it. Before being considered as a top nickel or safety in the NFL, he needs to improve his play strength and ball skills.
Brian Branch Player Comparison
When watching his film, Branch’s game showed lots of resemblance to Dax Hill. Hill tested very well at the combine last year, and I expect Branch to do the same. They are also very versatile and can disrupt offenses all around the field.
Brian Branch Scouting Report and Player Profile Analyst – Matthew Lewis
