Detroit Lions fans got a taste of the future when they saw the 2023 draft class roll out for the first time on Ford Field. From initial reactions and impressions, the future seems mightily bright, especially on the defensive side. Jack Campbell showed the skills that made a lasting impression on the organization, and Brodric Martin looks more giant than man along the defensive line.
There was one player, though, who created a massive impression on a national scale. This shouldn’t surprise anyone who has been paying attention to how well he has been playing so far in training camp. You don’t have to look any further than Brian Branch.
Widely considered a first-round talent, Branch unexpectedly fell into the second round (for whatever reason I’ll never understand), where the Lions happily scooped him up and haven’t looked back since. He has been constantly making play after play during camp, and his superb tackling ability and defensive awareness allow him to make highlight plays like these.
Oh hello, @BrianBB_1‼️ #NYGvsDET
📺 Lions TV Network pic.twitter.com/rWZsGcAdv4— Detroit Lions (@Lions) August 11, 2023
For many people, that was their first introduction to Branch (including Cole Beasley), but if you asked anyone in the building, this came as no shock, including General Manager Brad Holmes, who has seen this type of play from Branch frequently. During the Lions alternate broadcast, Holmes elaborated with Peter Schrager on how Branch has made an impact so far.
“You want me to give an honest answer? He’s been very good. It goes back to just getting football players. We don’t really get caught into the whole, ‘Well, we just signed C.J. Gardner-Johnson in free agency so we can’t get a nickel because we already got that. So let’s get another.’ No. Look, man, this guy’s a ball player. We had him high up there on the board. We got in striking distance to take him and we took him.”
Branch picked up where he left off when the Lions rolled back into practice on Monday and intercepted Jared Goff for a pick-six when he targeted Jahmyr Gibbs. Branch is always looking to improve and feels he has a lot more to show. When the Lions suit up against the Jaguars, Branch will likely be lined up against slot receiver Christian Kirk, who has proved to be a reliable weapon. It will be interesting to see how Branch handles Kirk on the field.
Even though the Lions brought in C.J. Gardner-Johnson to man the nickel position, Branch’s consistently strong performances in the preseason and training camp will make it hard for the coaches to keep him off the field. I know, as Lions fans we are not accustomed to this, but this is a good problem to have. It will give the coaches extra freedom to do what they want on the field, disguise their intentions, and make the opponents never feel comfortable.
Branch is not afraid to say he has a chip on his shoulder after being passed up several times in the draft. He has now put everyone on notice that he is here and ready to punish anyone who gets in his way.