Bills Host 'Private Visit' for No. 1 NFL Draft 'Sticky' Safety Brian Branch
The Buffalo Bills presently employ Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer at safety, creating arguably the best tandem at that position in the NFL.
Should the Bills keep a "strong position'' strong?
That may be the thinking as they host Alabama's Brian Branch in a pre-NFL Draft visit ... with an understanding that maybe Branch - clearly the best safety in this draft - might be more than "just'' a safety.
Here’s how our friend Dane Brugler describes him: “With his ability to play any position in the secondary, Branch will be highly-coveted by teams looking for defensive back versatility. With his instincts and toughness, Branch projects best as a nickel defender who is sticky in man coverage and reliable in run support.''
On Brugler's big board, Branch keeps climbing. ... from ranking 26th overall in last fall to 19th in wintertime to 16th on his pre-combine top 100 ...
Branch, Brugler writes,"has continued to climb on my board.”
Branch is on Buffalo's "private visits'' list ... even with Poyer and Hyde here, even with Damar Hamlin’s hoping to return and even with Taylor Rapp having signed a one-year contract to come over from the Rams.
This is not a good safety draft. But Branch? This is a good safety.
He's 6’0 and 190 and destined to get bigger. Branch posted a 4.58-second 40-yard dash at the Combine but can probably run faster.
Will Branch really last until pick No. 27. Conventionally, NFL teams do not "value'' the safety position as they do other spots. But there is something to be said for being the best in class at a position ... reason enough for Brian Branch to be in Buffalo.
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