Grading Lions' Pick of DB Brian Branch at No. 45

All Lions provides its grade for the Detroit Lions' selection of Alabama defensive back Brian Branch at No. 45 overall.

The Lions skipped over Alabama defensive back Brian Branch at No. 34 overall, but didn’t let the Crimson Tide product slip past them with their second chance to select him in the second round.

Detroit general manager Brad Holmes traded up from the 48th spot to select the versatile defensive back at No. 45 (which originally belonged to the Green Bay Packers).

It’s the best value pick of the 2023 draft thus far for Holmes & Co., as Branch was projected by a variety of pundits to be selected in the first round. He, in fact, was frequently mocked to the Lions at No. 18 overall.

Additionally, once he didn’t go in the first round, he became a popular target of many Lions writers, including yours truly, to be taken by Detroit on Day 2.

During Branch’s final season at Alabama, he posted 90 total tackles, including 14 tackles for loss. He also recorded three sacks, seven pass breakups and two interceptions. For his efforts, he was named a second-team All-American by the Associated Press.

Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Brian Branch / Kevin Jairaj, USA TODAY Sports

He excelled at nickel corner during his time with the Crimson Tide, and produced an impressive 89.5 Pro Football Focus pass-coverage grade – while allowing 36 receptions on 416 coverage snaps – in 2022. He also has the ability to line up at safety at the next level.

Prior to the draft, Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer said the following of the Crimson Tide defender: “Alabama’s Brian Branch is really solid, and probably a mid-to-late first-rounder, but he is like Michigan’s Daxton Hill was last year: more of a slot corner in college with the versatility to play back at safety. And after Branch, one team said, it wouldn’t be a shock to see the next safety not go until the fourth round.”

Holmes has added a quality defensive back to Detroit’s secondary, via the selection of Branch at No. 45 overall. Subsequently, the third-year GM receives his first “A” grade of the 2023 draft from me here.