100 Days of Mocks: Branching Out at USA Today
GREEN BAY, Wis. – The Green Bay Packers could have an enormous hole at safety with Adrian Amos, Rudy Ford and Dallin Leavitt all set to hit free agency.
Alabama’s Brian Branch would be an interesting player to fill that hole.
“Whether the 6-foot, 193-pound All-American lines up in the slot, safety, corner or all of the above, the Pack's secondary needs the help. Branch had two INTs, three sacks and 14 TFLs in 2022,” Nate Davis wrote in his new mock draft for USA Today.
Branch primarily played in the slot at Alabama. He was a superior player in that role, with the ability to cover and some of the sharpest tackling skills in this year’s draft class.
The question is whether he can be a high-level safety. That requires some projection. According to Pro Football Focus, Branch played 101 snaps at safety in three seasons. That’s it.
On the other hand, nickel is every team’s base defense. On paper, the Packers have an excellent set of cornerbacks with Jaire Alexander, Rasul Douglas and Eric Stokes. But, after a terrific rookie campaign, Stokes was having a miserable second season until suffering a season-ending ankle injury at Detroit, and Douglas looked a bit like a fish out of water in the slot – a position he hadn’t played before.
So, going with Alexander and Douglas at corner with Branch in the slot could be an incredible trio. But what happens to Stokes? Or could Douglas move to safety?
Those are questions that are worth asking because Branch is a brilliant player who has garnered comparisons to another safety-slot, Minkah Fitzpatrick.
Branch is the No. 16 player on Dane Brugler’s list of the top 100 prospects at The Athletic.
“With his ability to play any position in the secondary, Brian Branch will be highly coveted by teams looking for defensive back versatility,” he wrote. “With his instincts and toughness, Branch projects best as a nickel defender who is sticky in man coverage and reliable in run support. After ranking 26th overall in August and 19th in November, Branch has continued to climb on my board.”
Branch earned first- and second-team All-American accolades in 2022. He ranked third on the team with 90 tackles and second with 14 tackles for losses. He added two interceptions and seven pass breakups. He missed only three tackles in 2022.
“He’s been a very consistent performer for us all year,” Alabama coach Nick Saban said after Branch dominated the Sugar Bowl. “He plays the star position, but he could play safety, as well.”
Branch was part of a defense-centric batch of picks in the NFC North. To see those picks and the rest of the draft, click here.
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100 Days of Mocks
Starting Jan. 17, when there were 100 days until the start of the NFL Draft, we started our mock-worthy goal of 100 mock drafts in 100 days. Here’s the 100-day-countdown series.
67 days: Three-rounder starts with receiver
68 days: Grandson of Glory Years legend
69 days: Mayer to Packers in SI mock
70 days: Football Outsiders picks pass rusher
71 days: 33rd Team trades Rodgers in two-rounder
71 days (bonus): Todd McShay 2.0
72 days: Packers take receiver to start NFL.com three-rounder
73 days: Packers fill big need with big man
74 days: Rodgers traded, take two pass-catchers in first round
75 days: Two NFL.com mocks, two different tight ends
76 days: Tight end and pass rusher in two-rounder by NFL Draft Bible
77 days: Rodgers traded to Raiders for No. 7 pick
78 days: A seven-round mock includes Big Ten playmakers
79 days: Rodgers traded in two-round mock
80 days: Packers take safety in ESPN mock
81 days: Aaron Rodgers traded in three-round mock
82 days: Seven mocks, including NFL.com
83 days: Two pass-catchers in first-round mocks
84 days: Aaron Rodgers traded for extra first-round pick
85 days: PFF picks a pass rusher
86 days: Tight end in NFL Draft Bible Mock
87 days: Packers trade back, get extra second-rounder
88 days: Sorry, vacation day.
89 days: A “Eureka!” moment in two-round mock
90 days: Playmaking cornerback at PFF
91 days: Three defensive backs in seven-round mock
92 days: Kiper takes a tight end
93 days: Safety first for Bucky Brooks in NFL.com mock
94 days: College Football News mocks Mayer
95 days: Two firsts if Rodgers is traded
96 days: NFL.com’s Daniel Jeremiah goes back to Georgia
97 days: This pick would break a long drought
