The Detroit Lions have built an exceptional roster. And that can’t be done without finding great talent in the NFL Draft.
Over the past couple of years, the Lions have landed blue-chip prospects, and one of those guys is safety Brian Branch. During an appearance on the “St. Brown Podcast”, Brown revealed that the Lions saved him from a dark time on draft night.
Branch said, “That was one of his worst nights ever. Going all that way and not hearing your name get called, that ruined my night. That was a very dark time, I’m not gonna lie.”
Brian Branch Was Upset After Not Getting Drafted in First Round
Branch added that he was told he was going to be selected in the Top 20 or 25 picks, which played a role in why he attended the draft in person, but that didn’t happen. Instead, Branch was selected with the 45th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.
And for both sides, it ended up being for the better. The Alabama product has quickly developed into one of the best players in the secondary. An underrated factor of Branch’s play is his ability to line up as a free and strong safety while also playing in the slot.
In just his second season in the NFL, Branch was a Pro Bowler. In 16 games in 2024, Branch was tied for fifth in the league in pass deflections (16) with 109 total tackles, four interceptions, eight TFLs, and six QB hits.
According to PFF, Branch had a 77.6 overall grade (17th among 171 graded safeties), 90 run defense grade (1st among 171 graded safeties), and a 70 coverage grade (31st among 171 graded safeties).
Although he believed he was going to be a first-round selection, Branch landed with the exact team he needed to. Despite being hurt on draft day, Branch has become one of the best players at the safety spot with the Lions, and everything appears to be on the upswing.