New York Giants Draft Prospect Profile: DB Brian Branch

According to multiple draft analysts, Brian Branch's stock has been rising of late. Let's see what makes his game so special.

Author:
Nick Falato
Publish date:
Apr 18, 2023 10:32 AM EDT

In this story:

New York Giants

Alabama Crimson Tide

Brian Branch, DB

Height: 5’11½”
Weight: 190 lbs.
Class: Junior
School: Alabama
Age: 21 (born 10/22/2001)

Combine Measurements

Arm length: 30 ¾”
Hand size: 9 ½”
40-yard-dash: 4:58
10-yard-split: 1.56
Vertical jump: 34 ½”
Broad jump: 10’5”
Short-shuttle: 4.45* Pro Day
Bench press: 14

A former four-star recruit out of Sandy Creek High School in Tyrone, Georgia, where he was the 3rd ranked safety and the 8th ranked recruit out of Georgia. Branch attended the same high school as Calvin Johnson and Mike Hilton.

Branch was an all-county defensive player of the year as a junior, and he had 61 catches for 1,107 yards and 14 touchdowns as a wide receiver during his senior season. He was also a dynamic kick returner in high school and a starting guard on Sandy Creek’s basketball team.

Notables

Brian Branch played the famous “star” role for Nick Saban’s defense; the role consisted of safety, nickel, and box duties, and it required high processing and understanding of concepts. Similar to Giants’ safety Xavier McKinney, Branch acted as a leader and coach on the football field - excellent football character. [STATS]

The 2022 First-Team All-American had an elite missed tackle rate in college - he only missed four tackles in his entire career with the Crimson Tide - a 2.3% missed tackle rate. Branch led college football in Pro Football Focus’ tackle grade for two consecutive seasons. He’ll be an immediate contributor as a nickel defender with versatility from day one.

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Strengths

Good overall athlete on tape
Good acceleration - picks up speed when he opens up
Excellent short-area-quickness - explosive out of his break
Smooth & controlled backpedal - balanced player
Beautiful feet - no waisted steps in transition
Fluid - flips his hips well to cover No. 3 vertical routes

PBU vs. Mingo (Ole Miss) 4th Q, 4th & 16
Blanketed No. 3 to end Texas A&M game

Elite ability to sift through traffic and close width
Instantaneous reaction ability - angle expert
Incredible intelligence on the football field
Mental processing for days - understands route concepts
Reads, reacts, attacks - excellent pattern match skills

Excellent match interception vs. Kansas State Q3, 13:13, 3rd & 8

Passes routes off well - elite eyes and excellent patience
Understood all defensive assignments and was rarely ever out of position
Executes his techniques well - plays to his leverage, understands how to prevent WRs from doing what they need
Does well to track the football and get his hand into the catch point
Elite tackler with a 2.3% collegiate missed tackle rate
Wrap up tackler with solid pop on contact - drives feet
Excellent run defender with 14 tackles for a loss in 2022
Great operating near the LOS
Aggressively meets stalk blockers to occupy for rallying tackles
Had seven pressures and three sacks in 2022 - blitzing upside
Positional versatility with special teams upside

Weaknesses

Frame, size, and length are not ideal
Didn’t test like a difference-making athlete
Allowed Kayshon Boutte (LSU) to eat into his cushion for easy curl routes
Solid play strength, but not an enforcer
Had five pass interference penalties in 2022

Summary

Brian Branch is good at everything; he’s versatile, physical, a sure-tackler, delivers solid pop on contact at the catch point, has incredible football intellect, and is assignment sound. He’s not the biggest player, and he didn’t test well at the combine, but he’ll be an immediate difference maker to a defense who can bolster a safety room or lockdown a team's nickel spot.

NFL offenses play a lot of 11 personnel, resulting in nickel sub-packages. Branch’s ability to be an asset in run support will defensive coordinators feel comfortable employing nickel against 12 personnel, which can help combat zone-read/RPO teams.

Branch’s blitzing upside, his ability to stay in phase while in man coverage, and the capability to wear many hats in a positionless defense make him an excellent option for a Giants team that just let Julian Love walk in free agency.

GRADE: 6.75