Football is not Important to Brian Branch

It took 11 games to see first-round ability come out of Alabama’s Brian Branch.

That’s how many games I had to study to see it, and I didn’t see it for the Crimson Tide until his very last game against Kansas State in the Allstate Sugar Bowl.

I didn’t see it until his showcase game to get paid.

He looked like a soft fourth-round nickel in the other 10 games I studied (embedded below). I encourage every team in the NFL to watch these games before selecting Branch. The proof is right there. Pop some popcorn and count for yourself the number of plays Branch shies away from.

This is who Branch really is.

As his football resume that he choose to put out there on game film, I can clearly see football is not important to him.

That’s not what I say, it’s what his game film SCREAMS.

Critical factors of scouting

When I was with the Jets on Bill Parcells’ staff, he had what were called, “Critical factors of scouting.” These were characteristics that he looked for that were non-negotiable in prospects.

One of these critical factors was, “Is football important to him?”

With Branch the answer is a resounding no.

I have no issue with lighting up Branch harder than he can hit – – he’s off my board – – I wouldn’t touch him with a 10-foot pole if I was an NFL General Manger.

Branch is a classic textbook example of a prospect who will get an NFL team beat.

“Want”

Want is the same thing as “Is football important to him.”

The proverbial line in the sand between players who make it players who become busts – – is want.

Want is the single most important characteristic to look for. I don’t care about “traits” if they don’t show up on game film.

Losing teams in the NFL are loaded with guys who have traits, but the want doesn’t show up.

Branch plays small

Not only does Branch look small on game film, he plays small.

If I had a dollar for every time I saw Branch shy away from contact in the 10 games prior to the Kansas State game, I could buy my groceries with that money for the next three months.

The first time in 11 games he became a playmaker was in that last game against Kansas State. That’s when he flashed short-area burst and broke on the ball on that interception. It’s the first time he was blitzing like he meant it. It’s first-time he was hitting like he meant it.

A defensive back who is small and plays small has zero chance of helping a team win in the NFL.

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

Daniel Kelly’s final 2023 NFL Draft Grade: Fourth-Round (I would not select him)

Bust Probability: High

Projected by 68.2% (up from 40.0% on January 5) of the NFL Draft Community to be a first-round pick as of April 7, 2023 (nflmockdraftdatabase.com)

Previous 7 games evaluated: (2021): Auburn, Texas A&M, and Georgia (2022): Tennessee, Arkansas, Ole Miss, and Utah State

Games viewed for this evaluation: (2022): LSU, Texas, Mississippi State and Kansas State

Previous articles:

What Nobody Will Tell You About Draft Prospect Brian Branch

Brian Branch Is An Inconsistent Nickelback – At Best

Level of Competition: High

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

2022 stats: 90 tackles (58 solo, 32 assists), 7 passes defended, 2 INT., 3 sacks

2023 NFL Draft Scouting Report

Inconsistent defensive back who rarely flashes his true potential (Kansas State). Often lined up over the slot receiver and not in a traditional deep safety look (along the lines of Michigan’s Daxton Hill, who I had a 2022 pre-draft documented third-round grade on. Cincinnati took him first-round and he barely saw the field). Has good speed to carry straight-line routes tightly at the short to intermediate levels. Good athletic ability, but below average flexibility, which is why he can’t play the outside receivers as a corner. In coverage often allowed catches and secured after the fact. Reluctant in pass support and run support. Capable of blitizing, but put a ton of half-hearted blitzing efforts on film. Projects to nickel.

Final words

I wrote up Baylor defensive back Jalen Pitre and gave him first-round grade prior to the 2022 NFL Draft. Pitre led the Texans’ in tackles as a rookie.

Branch is no Jalen Pitre. It’s not hating, it’s evaluating.

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.