2023 NFL Draft: Brian Branch scouting report

A merchant in the secondary who was one of the best players on a loaded Alabama defense, Brian Branch will look to bring his versatility and experience to a secondary at the next level as he enters the 2023 NFL draft.

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Here is everything you need to know about the Crimson Tide cover man:

Vitals

Height: 6-0

Weight: 190

Class: Junior

Strengths

Alabama used Brian Branch in all sorts of different ways during his time with Nick Saban and he excelled in each one. Primarily operating from the slot/safety hybrid role that the Crimson Tide deploy, he was a menace in the secondary and constantly made plays on the football. While his numbers don’t necessarily pop off the sheet with only four interceptions in his three years with the team, it is evident when you watch film he is heavily involved in the defense.

In pass coverage, Branch is explosive with electric feet and excellent reaction speed to adjust to whatever is in front of him. He trails receivers well and is rarely out of position or fooled on routes, and is excels at getting his hands on footballs and popping them away from receivers. He is quick to sniff out screens and short routes, exploding into them with great physicality, playing much bigger than his size would indicate. He he adjusts well to the routes in front of him and is twitchy enough to shoot his hands especially on shorter routes.

As a run defender Branch is just as instinctive and possesses great recognition, quickly removing himself from coverage and slamming into ball carriers. His aggression at the ball carrier does not remove his form as he is a very secure tackler and understand the fundamental of doing so, it is exceedingly rare to find plays where he fails to wrap up or knock the ball carrier onto their butt.

Weaknesses

Branch does not necessarily have the ideal size you want from someone who will spend a lot of the time in the box and he can at times be eaten up in his pursuit to the ball carrier by offensive linemen and tight ends alike. He will need to add on a few pounds and learn better to navigate the busy traffic lanes of the running game.

The longer a play develops and the deeper level he has to cover, the more exposed Branch becomes. While he is speedy, he lacks that true deep corner speed to keep up with receivers down the field.

Projection

Brian Branch is going to be one of the top defensive backs off the board and for good reason, his instincts, physical ability, and versatility make him an ideal fit for multiple teams not only as a slot corner or safety but in that hybrid role he played in Alabama that is becoming more and more common at the next level. Branch should have little trouble developing into a short-range cover man and will add a ferocious boost to a secondary soon as he is ready to start right away. He may need to add on a few pounds to be stable inside the box, but that will come with natural development in the NFL.

Projection:
Top 20 Pick 

Story originally appeared on Draft Wire