Tag: Brian Branch

2023 NFL mock draft projects 4 Crimson Tide stars in first round

Alabama takes over the first round with four players selected in the latest mock draft!

With the 2023 college football offseason upon us, it’s time for fans and analysts to focus on the upcoming NFL draft. This draft is expected to feature multiple Alabama standouts, a practice that has been commonplace in the Nick Saban era.

The latest 2023 mock draft by Natalie Miller of the Draft Wire features four Crimson Tide players from both sides of the ball.

The first two picks are expected to be quarterback Bryce Young and outside linebacker Will Anderson Jr., but the question remains: who will be first overall?

Miller’s mock draft has an answer to that question, and a few other interesting selections.

Vikings select DB Brian Branch in latest For The Win mock draft

Safety continues to be mocked to the Vikings and it’s baffling at this point

Safety is a very interesting position for the Minnesota Vikings, especially with the future of Harrison Smith potentially being in limbo. It’s one of the reasons why safety has been somewhat popular with mock drafts. For The Win’s Christian D’Andrea has the Vikings selecting Alabama safety Brian Branch.

The Crimson Tide product does a little bit of everything for Nick Saban. Here is what D’Andrea had to say about Branch.

“Minnesota could opt for a cornerback here or beef up a veteran pass rush by being the first team to pull from the second tier of edge rushers. Instead, the Vikings get the draft’s top safety in Branch, a versatile defensive back who can handle multiple positions in the NFL.

The Alabama product is a ballhawk (23 passes defensed in three seasons) capable of creeping up to the line of scrimmage to wreak havoc (14 tackles for loss in 2022). He’d bring immediate value to the league’s 26th-ranked passing defense. His positional flexibility would be a boon for a team likely to add secondary talent throughout the offseason. Additionally, Harrison Smith is about to turn 34 years old; drafting Branch gives the Vikings a viable succession plan.”

The succession plan line doesn’t make a ton of sense. Wasn’t that what Lewis Cine was drafted for? I suppose it is possible that they move on from Smith, but a safety in round one two years in a row feels odds at best.

If the Vikings select Branch, it would likely be to play in the slot and be a third safety for three safety looks.

The 33rd Team sends Vikings Alabama defender in 2023 NFL mock draft

Another mock draft has the Vikings taking the Alabama cornerback/safety

The process of how everyone thinks about the Minnesota Vikings is fascinating. It’s interesting how each analyst has the Vikings viewing things differently, especially when it comes to team needs.

The 33rd Team’s scouting department is one of those that has an interesting view on what the Vikings should do in the first round on the NFL draft. They have the Vikings taking Alabama cornerback/safety Brian Branch. Here is what they had to say about the pick.

“The Vikings went secondary heavy in the draft last year, but it didn’t pay off for the 31st-ranked passing defense. Branch is a smart and versatile defense back who they will find a way to get on the field.”

I think they are missing the fact that the three secondary players that the Vikings drafted were all on injured reserve for most of the season which prevented them from playing. Adding Branch, who can play just about anywhere on the back end, and when Nick Saban trusts you, that means something.

Latest CBS Sports’ 2023 NFL mock draft send Vikings Alabama DB

Getting someone who can play in the slot will be a priority for the Vikings

Defense is likely going to be a priority for many when it comes to the NFL draft for the Minnesota Vikings and rightfully so. They finished 31st in total defense and 26th in points allowed.

One of the areas that they will be addressing in some capacity is slot cornerback. Chandon Sullivan is a free agent and he wasn’t good enough to bring back.

In his latest mock draft, CBS Sports’ Ryan Wilson has the Vikings addressing that position with Alabama cornerback/safety Brian Branch. Here is what Wilson had to say about the Crimson Tide defender.

“Branch isn’t the first name you hear about when the conversation turns to Alabama’s defense, but maybe he should be. He’s a sure tackler, can blitz off the edge, and is solid in coverage, and if Nick Saban trusts him, that’s all you need to know about his NFL prospects.”

It would be a tough sell for Vikings fans to accept them taking a player that is likely going to play safety long-term, but his ability in the slot would definitely help the Vikings both now and long-term.

Packers Mock Draft 4.0: Green Bay addresses needs in first offseason mock

Brennen Rupp’s first mock draft of the offseason, which began Monday for the Packers.

It’s officially draft season for the Green Bay Packers. With their 20-16 loss to the Detroit Lions, the Packers finished the season with a disappointing 8-9 record and will own the 15th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.

It’s Mock Draft Monday, so let’s take a look at the results from my latest mock draft.

15th overall pick: Brian Branch, DB, Alabama

Tyree Wilson, Paris Johnson, Quentin Johnston, Peter Skoronski, and Michael Mayer all went off the board 10-14 prior to Green Bay’s pick. This leaves the Packers with the best safety prospect in the draft.

Plug him in the slot and prosper. Branch plays the Star position for Nick Saban and is one of the most versatile defensive backs in the draft. He can play in the slot, on the boundary or safety. 

Branch is a highly instinctive player and a fluid athlete. He has the footwork and loose hips to man the slot position at the next level. According to Pro Football Focus, Branch allowed just two touchdowns in coverage this season and never gave up a play longer than 20 yards. 

On top of his ability in coverage, Branch is an excellent open-field tackler and thrives playing close to the line of scrimmage. He finished the season with 14 tackles for loss and was credited with just three missed tackles.

Branch is versatile, athletic, a reliable tackler, and a playmaker. Add all those up and you get Green Bay’s first-round pick that could be a plug-and-play starter. 

46th overall pick: Dalton Kincaid, TE, Utah

Kincaid’s trump card is his ability as a pass-catcher. He’s able to create explosive plays with the ball in his hands. 

The Utah tight end is a gifted athlete with the quickness to threaten the seam and make plays vertically. That quickness and athleticism show up after the catch as well. According to PFF, Kincaid finished the season with 397 yards after the catch this season.

“Kincaid is a well-rounded tight end that continues to improve in all areas,” Alex Markham, the publisher for UteNation.com said. “When he came to Utah, he was a pass-catcher. Now with three years in the system, he’s grown to be an effective run-blocker. He’s an every-down versatile tight end, you don’t need to take him off the field.”

Kincaid is a complete tight end that could step in from day one and give the Packers a dynamic playmaker at a position of need. 

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5 potential NFL draft destinations for DB Brian Branch

Can Alabama’s Brian Branch sneak into the top 15 of the 2023 NFL draft?

The 2022-23 college football season will conclude on Monday night when the Georgia Bulldogs take on the TCU Horned Frogs for the college football playoff national championship.

Now that the season is all but over, it is time to look ahead to the 2023 NFL draft.

You hear Alabama Crimson Tide head coach [autotag]Nick Saban[/autotag] speak constantly about players “creating value” for themselves. Perhaps nobody created more value for their draft stock this season than Alabama defensive back [autotag]Brian Branch[/autotag].

The junior from Fayetteville, Ga. turned heads during his third season in Tuscaloosa where he become one of the most feared defensive backs in the country.

Branch’s strong 2022 season has skyrocketed his draft stock to a possible mid-first-round selection come April.

Here are five potential landing spots for Branch.

Updated first round projections for the 2023 NFL draft

The second mock draft from College Wire regional editor Patrick Conn.

The NFL regular season is coming to a close this coming weekend, which puts half of the league on the clock for the 2023 NFL draft. While there is still the question of free agency and locking up players long-term, teams can begin formulating their plans for the offseason.

All eyes will focus on Houston and the Texans as they are looking to lock up their future quarterback. Is he already in the league or will they use the No. 1 pick on a quarterback? Four of the last five drafts started with a quarterback, and last year’s selection of Travon Walker ended the consecutive streak of four straight quarterbacks selected.

With plenty left to discuss in terms of selections, I put together my second mock draft of the 2023 class. Who takes the top spot in the draft and which school reigns supreme with the most picks in the full first-round projections?

Seahawks 2023 NFL mock draft: The maximum value edition

In the end, we still got our guy and came out with 11 total selections in the draft.

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The Seahawks would be picking at No. 3 overall if the 2023 NFL draft were held today. That puts them in position to land a blue chip prospect that could fundamentally change their defense. It also puts them in a prime spot to trade down with teams who are looking to draft a quarterback.

In our latest seven-round 2023 mock draft we took advantage of the latter, dealing down three spots with Detroit and adding a pick in the teens. Later, we traded down again from No. 35 overall – doubling up the picks Seattle received in the Russell Wilson trade to maximize the value of the deal.

In the end, we still got our guy and came out with 11 total selections in the draft. Here’s how it went down.

Alabama DB Brian Branch declares for 2023 NFL draft

Alabama defensive back Brian Branch is leaving school early to enter the 2023 NFL draft

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One of the best defensive players in college football is making the early jump to the next level.

Alabama defensive back Brian Branch will forego his senior season with the Crimson Tide and declare for the 2023 NFL draft, he announced via social media earlier this week.

A versatile playmaker who can line up at safety or in the slot, Branch has been a key cog in Nick Saban’s defense, and should be well-prepared to make a similar impact in the pros.

Branch is expected to be a first-round pick when April rolls around.

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Alabama DB Brian Branch officially declares for the 2023 NFL draft

Alabama junior defensive back Brian Branch officially declared for the 2023 NFL Draft on Monday.

On Monday, Alabama defensive back Brian Branch announced that he was officially entering the 2023 NFL draft via his Twitter. He joins Will Anderson Jr., Bryce Young, and Jahmyr Gibbs as Alabama players that have declared for the draft.

Branch is expected to be drafted late in the first round or early in the second round. He is also seen as one of the highest-rated defensive back prospects entering the draft.

In three seasons at the Capstone, he tallied 172 tackles, four sacks, and four interceptions. His presence was felt in an Alabama secondary that struggled at times. In all likelihood, Branch will convert to safety at the next level. However, his versatility could allow him to play multiple positions as he did at Alabama.

Roll Tide Wire will continue to provide updates as other Alabama players make decisions regarding their futures.

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