Brian Branch is a phenomenal prospect who overtook Malachi Moore for the starting ROVER spot at the end of the 2020 season, starting the SEC Championship and the Playoff games in relief of Moore who was injured. His work as a ROVER in the Alabama defense has been solid, a legitimate upgrade over what Moore offered the team in the spot. He looks like he could be viewed as this year’s Jalen Pitre-type prospect.

There isn’t a lot of upside that I see to Branch’s game, personally. I think that maybe he can build his frame out better and add some strength, but Branch is pretty much a plug and play defender who’s ready to step into a ROVER role with just about any NFL team. 

Quick little film room for Brian Branch:

He can do a little of everything. Safety, CB, you can play him in the box. A Swiss Army knife. And wherever he is, he’s a sure tackler pic.twitter.com/Ra2SMjPnhA

— MinkahBurgh Steelers (@SteelersWin109) March 26, 2023

Suffered an injury in week 1 of 2021 that forced him to miss some time. Missed most of the Arkansas (2022) game after sustaining an injury. 

Brian Branch’s scouting report

Athletic Ability (40)

Speed/Athleticism: 15

• Speed (7/10) – Good speed, not great. Closes very well. Tested a little lower than most people expected but plays faster on the field than he tests. 
• Lateral Quickness (4/5) – Lateral quickness is good. Fairly explosive lower frame allows him to move decently well within his zone or contain a boundary effectively. 

Strength: 15 

• Upper Body Strength (3.5/5) – Has decent upper body strength. Still has room to expand on his frame. 
• Lower Body Strength (3.5/5) – Fairly explosive, although not great. Shows a lot of burst and acceleration ability. Very thin, wire-like frame that will probably concern some teams. 
• Brute Power (4/5) – Not really a brute but can deliver some kill shots as a tackler. 

Hip Flexibility: 10 

• Change of Direction (4.5/5) – Very crisp, smooth hips. Changes direction effortlessly and seamlessly. 
• Body Control (3.5/5) – Shows good body control. Moves very well with the play. Very reactive, does a good job staying in position. 

Defender Ability (30)

Tackling/Pursuit: 20

• Tackling Ability (7/8) – Very strong tackler. Devastating at the point of contact. Has the ability to both wrap up and level people with his hit power. Wraps up well and controls the tackle all the way through. 
• Space Defending (5/6) – Strong space defender. Reads plays very well and positions to stop them. 
• Pursuit Angles (4.5/6) – A little passive with his pursuit angles. Would like to see him pick up his intensity in pursuit more often. 

Blitz Ability: 10 

• Blitz Timing (4/5) – Very solid blitzer. Has a bunch of tools to work around blockers if he gets caught up in traffic or picked up. Excellent bend. 
• Instincts (4/5) – Solid instincts when coming after the quarterback. 

Coverage Ability (25)

Man Coverage: 10 

• Coverage Technique (4/7) – Capable in man coverage, but doesn’t work across the field well. Surrenders positioning too easily.
• Physicality (2/3) – Too physical and has to be better about timing his hit and how he contests the catch point. Tends to get too grabby for my liking. 

Zone Coverage: 10 

• Coverage Technique (5.5/7) – Contests the catch point with everything that he has. 
• Recognition (3/3) – Very quick to recognize the plays around him. 

Press Coverage: 5 

• Press Ability (4/5) – Decent press coverage player. Has a strong jam technique and can stay with the play decently well. Reactive athleticism is good. 

Overall: (79) – 2nd Round