Vikings Draft: Brian Branch Could Be the Perfect DB For Brian Flores' Defense
The Vikings need to continue adding to their cornerback room, which is why it's by far the most common position sent to them in first-round mocks of the 2023 NFL Draft. But what if they don't draft a cornerback with their top pick? What if, instead, they select the draft's ultimate versatile defensive back weapon, a Swiss army knife who can play corner and nickel and safety and linebacker and everything in between?
That player is Alabama's Brian Branch, a projected late first-round pick with a decent chance to be available when the Vikings' spot comes up at No. 23 overall. And his varied skill set could make him the perfect fit for Brian Flores' defense.
Branch was an important part of the Crimson Tide's defense for all three of his seasons in Tuscaloosa. He had seven pass breakups as a freshman on Alabama's undefeated title-winning team, three of them coming in the national championship game against Ohio State. Branch's role grew as a sophomore, when he recorded nine passes defended and had five tackles for loss.
It was last year, his junior season, when he really broke out. Across 13 games, Branch stuffed the stat sheet with seven passes defended, two interceptions, 14 TFL, three sacks, and 90 total tackles. In Alabama's Sugar Bowl win over a quality Kansas State team, Branch was the best player on the field when the Wildcats had the ball, with a sack and four total TFL among his 12 tackles, plus an interception.
Branch is unlikely to go early in the first round — although anything is possible — because he's undersized as a safety, not a truly elite athlete, and some teams may wonder what his true position is. Those aren't things the Vikings should worry about. If they draft him, he's more than talented enough for Flores to find ways to deploy him effectively.
The calling card with Branch is his versatility. He played primarily in the slot last season, when he earned an 89.5 PFF grade, but he also spent significant time in the box and was used at corner, deep safety, and on the edge as a blitzer as times. Branch is an excellent run defender and a sure tackler. He can get after the quarterback in pressure packages, which would be big in Flores' defense. He's got great instincts in zone coverage and some ball skills to finish plays. And he's improved in man-to-man coverage out of the slot, though he still has to continue growing in that area.
Here's a twisting interception, admittedly against weak competition:
And here's Branch blowing up an LSU running back for a pressure:
Branch possesses two extremely important traits, in addition to his versatility: He's got a fantastic football IQ and he plays the game with a ton of passion. Those are things any defense could use.
At 5'11.5" and 190 pounds, Branch isn't the biggest player. His 34.5-inch vertical leap and 4.58 40 are merely average, too. But the Vikings will like his 1.56 10-yard split, which shows off his acceleration. And they'll presumably love his tape, which is the most important thing.
With the Vikings, Branch could start at slot cornerback while also being moved around the box in various pressure packages. He'd be a strong complement to players like Byron Murphy, Harrison Smith, and Lewis Cine, who also have plenty of versatility in their games.
Will Branch make it to the Vikings' pick? It's possible, although teams like the Packers and Steelers in the mid-teens could be landing spots for him. If Minnesota doesn't select him, another oft-mentioned fit for his services is Jacksonville, one pick later. A player with Branch's all-around skill set and tenacity shouldn't fall out of the first round.
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