GREAT NEWS:NFL executives, scouts, and coaches show significant respect for Detroit Lions defensive backs.The Detroit Lions f…
The Detroit Lions found a gem in defensive back Brian Branch, who excelled as the team’s slot cornerback during his rookie season.
Branch’s impressive debut in the NFL did not go unnoticed. ESPN’s annual rankings of the top-10 safeties, based on input from coaches, executives, and scouts, listed him as an honorable mention.
“Has natural coverage ability, allowing him to play in the slot or over the top. He’s also an instinctive player with a knack for finding the ball and making plays in both phases,” an NFC personnel evaluator said in the article.
While Branch primarily played in the slot last season, the Lions have hinted at expanding his role to include more time at safety in 2024. It remains to be seen whether this will be a full-time or part-time change.
Considering Branch has only one year of NFL experience, his honorable mention is quite a compliment and underscores how well he performed in 2023. If he progresses as expected in 2024, Branch has a strong chance to break into the top 10 in next year’s rankings.
Branch wasn’t the only Lions defensive back mentioned in the article. Safety Ifeatu Melifonwu was listed in the “also receiving votes” section. The Syracuse product had a career year in 2023, making his national recognition a pleasant surprise.
However, Lions’ safety Kerby Joseph, who also had an impressive season, was not mentioned in the article. It seems the Lions can’t have it all.
