NFL Draft Profile: Brian Branch, Safety, Alabama Crimson Tide
#14
Pos: S
Ht: 5115
Wt: 190
Hand: 0948
Arm: 3068
Wing: 7528
40: 4.58
DOB: 10/22/2001
Hometown: Tyrone, GA
High School: Sandy Creek
Eligibility: 2023
Brian Branch
Alabama Crimson Tide
One-Liner:
Though he projects as a nickel corner and man coverage specialist early in his NFL career, Brian Branch has the athleticism, instincts, and physicality to play any defensive back position in the league. He should start as a rookie and can develop into a stellar defensive chess piece. He can at least be an elite special teamer.
Evaluation:
The 2020 Alabama recruiting class has produced enormous talent and immediate results. Brian Branch, after contributing his freshman season, became a top-tier college defender in 2021. The defensive back has the versatility to play any position in the secondary and even boasts elite special teams potential. Branch is a fluid and clean mover who makes easy changes of direction and transitions. The Alabama safety is explosive in all directions and has good long speed. Further, Branch plays with elite physicality in all areas of the game. He attacks blockers with straight, accurate hands to establish distance and work through them. He is effective against linemen for his size, but he overpowers and sheds skill position blockers at will. What’s more, Branch is a remarkably efficient tackler who plays with safe technique and a hard-hitting style. He easily tracks the ball carrier and navigates traffic. On top of his downhill traits, Branch is a standout in man coverage. He has a knack for playing the top shoulder and dominating from there, though he can win from the low shoulder. He mirrors pass-catchers before and after contact but excels after landing his hands and slowing receivers down. Branch leverages routes well and avoids committing prematurely in man. He takes clean recovery angles and keeps sound eye discipline while minimizing blind spots. Branch also flashes spatial awareness and route recognition in zone. He understands route development and combinations. At the catch point, Branch is physical and has great hand-eye coordination. Still, Branch may not appeal to all NFL teams. He split time in 2021 with fellow rising third-year safety Malachi Moore. Additionally, he will primarily be a nickel corner and man coverage specialist early in his career. Moreover, Branch must refine certain technical aspects of his game. In man, he gives up his chest with inaccurate hands. He is occasionally a step slow mirroring without contact. High-level NFL prospects, at times, fool him with salesmanship. In trying to land hands, Branch chases and puts himself in a recovery position. In zone coverage, Branch can overcommit to one route and leave another open. He does not have the range to play single high. At the catch point, Branch is outreached or boxed out too often. He occasionally takes improper angles to the tackle point. Brian Branch projects as a rookie starter at nickel; he has the potential to be a high-level versatile defensive back.
Grade:
2nd Round
Background:
Brian Branch, from Fayetteville, Georgia, is a key contributor to the Crimson Tide defense. A four-star recruit out of Sandy Creek High School, Branch saw time in 2020 with three starts for Nick Saban. His play on the field increased tremendously in 2021 where his tackles doubled from 2020 from27 to 55. Branch will look to make an even larger impact on the Tide’s defense in 2022.
