Bills Fill 'Legitimate Need', Draft S Brian Branch: NFL Mock

The Bills bolster an already elite defense with the addition of Brian Branch in this mock draft.

With just over a week to go before the NFL draft, the Buffalo Bills are one of the more difficult teams to peg down in terms of what they'll do with their first-round pick.

Sitting at No. 27 overall, the Bills have been linked to multiple players. From star running back Bijan Robinson out of Texas to a linebacker to serve as a replacement for Tremaine Edmunds.

However, in Joe Buscaglia's latest mock draft with The Athletic for the Bills, they go in a different direction and take safety Brian Branch out of Alabama with the No. 27 overall pick. 

"This selection might not seem like an immediate need to the 2023 season with Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer in the fold," Buscaglia wrote. "But Branch is the type of talent you find ways to get on the field as a rookie before he takes over as a full-time starter in 2024.

"Considering the Bills’ legitimate need at safety, if Branch is on the board at No. 27, which he was in this simulation, that’s the perfect blend of “need meets value,” my favorite draft-related phrase."

Branch had a career year for Alabama in his final season, recording 90 total tackles with 14 tackles for loss and three sacks. He also hauled in two interceptions and defended seven passes, showcasing an ability to roam in coverage while also coming downhill to make the tackle. 

The Bills defense was one of the best in the league last season, holding opponents to 17.9 points per game, good for second in the NFL, on just 300.4 yards of total offense. 

Adding Branch to the mix and easing him into the NFL while learning from both Poyer and Hyde, could further elevate the Bills defense - and set up Branch to be a key piece of the secondary in the future. 

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You can find Connor Zimmerlee on Twitter @Connorjz98

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