Lions Complete Draft Class by Signing Second-Round Pick Brian Branch

Scratch Brian Branch off the list of unsigned draft picks heading into training camp. Actually, make that the entire Detroit Lions draft class as all of their 2023 picks are under contract.

The team announced Branch's signing on Tuesday.

Branch will have a standard four-year rookie deal with a projected $8.02 million salary with a $2.833 million signing bonus primarily based on when he was selected.

Branch was one of the final two Alabama draft picks who had not come to terms with his new team, the other being Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young, the first-overall pick of the 2023 NFL Draft.

Branch enters a good situation to help his development. While he was listed as a safety at Alabama, Branch lined up all over the field, with experience playing deep safety, slot corner, dime defensive back, and even some experience blitzing the quarterback. Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban puts a high emphasis on a 'do-it-all' type of player in his defensive back room, and Branch fit that mold almost perfectly.

In an early projection of the Lions depth chart before the start of training camp, Branch is projected as the third safety on the roster, behind Kirby Joseph (a third-round draft pick from 2022 who played in all 17 games for the Lions last season) and Tracy Walker III (a third-round draft pick of the Lions from 2018 who played in just 3 games for Detroit before suffering a torn Achilles in week 3).

#Lions have signed draft pick DB Brian Branch.
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) July 18, 2023

However, he could be a starter at the equivalent of the 'star' position at Alabama, a role that Branch excelled at during his time at the Capstone. He accumulated 172 total tackles, 19.5 tackles for loss, four sacks, three picks, 23 passes defended, and one fumble recovery with the Crimson Tide; landing him as the 45th-overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft.