A lot of people, myself included, were shocked when former Alabama DB [autotag]Brian Branch[/autotag] fell to the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft. The Lions finally took Branch off the board with the No. 45 overall pick, where he has been outstanding for them as a rookie. In 13 games, Branch has totaled 69 tackles, one sack, one forced fumble, three interceptions and 10 passes broken up.
It had been 30 yards since the Detroit Lions had last won the NFC North, but they finally snapped the streak with a division-clinching win over Minnesota on Sunday. Branch and the Lions’ defense have been a massive factor in finally getting back to the top of the division despite all of the attention that goes to Detroit’s high-flying offense.
Branch was exceptional on Sunday as he tallied six tackles, one sack, one forced fumble, an interception and two passes broken up. For his remarkable efforts, PFF graded Branch as the highest rookie DB in Week 16. It is already beginning to look like Branch will be a corner stone piece for Dan Campbel’s defense for years to come.
Highest graded rookie DB from Week 16:
đŚ Brian Branch, Lions: 88.0 pic.twitter.com/jzmipVUCV5
— PFF College (@PFF_College) December 26, 2023
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