Brian Branch is an Inconsistent NFL Nickelback – At Best

Brian Branch left a lot to be desired on his 2021 game film.

The Alabama defensive back showed versatility in the secondary, but he wasn’t much of a playmaker.

Branch lined up against the slot, came down in the box, and rotated back to safety.

He was inconsistent in support and he lacked what it took to make a play on the ball in coverage.

Branch is…

That is the million dollar question.

Where would an NFL defense line him up?

Branch looks like an undersized safety trying to play corner.

He hasn’t proven at Alabama to be good enough to start at either of these positions.

Instead, he is like this roaming hybrid who picks and chooses when gives effort.

He matches up against slot receivers, tight ends and running backs and can stay relatively close in straight-line routes, but he struggles staying in phase with routes that feature distinct breakpoints.

In the words of the television announcer, “Anytime Georgia can get a wide receiver matched up (against Branch) they will go at him because he is a safety-type at corner.”

He’s not a top-level starting corner in the NFL

What peaked my curiosity to study Branch was CBS had him mocked as a corner first-round No. 31 to the Eagles.

CBS is not alone in that assessment.

Pro Football Network, Walter Football, Fox Sports, Draftwire, Sports Illustrated and The Athletic all have him mocked in the the first-round as well.

I am not remotely seeing it on the game film embedded into this scouting report.

Branch did not match up against the outside receivers or play press man coverage. He lined up in off-man and zone.

Elite corners need to have playmaking physical characteristics.

Starters need to be able to change direction effortlessly to match receivers on routes. They need that coveted burst, and recovery speed. They additionally need to show the ability to jump high and contend for passes at the highpoint.

Branch hasn’t shown any of that.

He’s a one gear runner and it takes a little effort to change direction.

Those two things alone will get him smoked in the NFL.

Receivers caught about everything

This is a real problem piggybacking off of the lack of needed characteristics to be a shut-down corner.

While he can shadow and stay relatively close with slot receivers, tight-ends and shadow backs on screen routes, when it came to defending passes, the intended targets in these three games caught about everything thrown in his direction.

What will that look like in the NFL?

This video clip is one example of what I saw repeatedly over and over again.

Branch is a reluctant tackler

This is the challenge of plugging him at safety.

He shows he has it in him to attack the line of scrimmage, but he picks and chooses his spots.

Branch looks like a lightweight tackler too often with inconsistent tackling techniques.

He plays a lot smaller than his size.

Branch also has decent, but not playmaking range over the top.

#14 Brian Branch 6-foot-0, 193 pounds

Daniel Kelly’s Grade: Fifth-Round – Fall 2022 Report

First Round Mock Big Board: TBD

Projected by 21.4% of the NFL Draft Community to be a first-round pick as of November 7, 2022 (nflmockdraftdatabase.com)

2021 game film reviewed: Auburn, Texas A&M and Georgia (click to watch games viewed to form this evaluation)

Level of competition: High

2021 stats: 55 tackles (34 solo, 21 assists), 9 passes defended, 0 INT., 1 sack

2023 NFL Draft Scouting Report:

Tweener defensive back with average athletic ability, one-gear speed and mediocre motor. Matches up often in off-man or zone against the slot or tight-end. Likes to keep the game in front of him and provides enough cushion to accomplish that. Has the ability to just make tackles after the fact. Against the run showed he can torpedo in and make blow up stops, but that is once in a blue moon. More often, somewhat hesitant and he is the type that ends up in or near the tackle pile. Not the type of prospect who will move the meter at the next level. Will have a tough time sticking anywhere.

What to watch for during the 2022 college football season:

1. Does he match up against outside receivers?
2. Pass defense stats?
3. Makes plays on the ball?
4. Consistent in support?

Branch is nothing to write home about.

Daniel Kelly is a former NFL Scout with the New York Jets. He was hired on the regime which featured Bill Parcells, Bill Belichick, Scott Pioli, Mike Tannenbaum, and Dick Haley. He currently writes for Sports Illustrated New York Jets and he is the Editor-in-Chief for First Round Mock. For more information about him visit his website at whateverittakesbook.com. He can be followed on Twitter @firstroundmock.