Our in-depth analysis of the 2024 Detroit Lions roster continues with a focus on one of the most promising talents on the team: Brian Branch.

Currently, Branch is a hot topic among fans and analysts alike, as he is emerging as one of the top players on the Lions’ roster. However, many believe he is just beginning to unlock his full potential. Let’s explore how Branch fared in his rookie season and delve into the high expectations surrounding him as he prepares for his second year in the NFL.

Previous player spotlights: WR Kalif Raymond, TE Sam LaPorta, LT Taylor Decker, DE Aidan Hutchinson, DT DJ Reader, DT Alim McNeill, S Ifeatu Melifonwu

Spotlight on Brian Branch: The Rising Star

Setting High Expectations for the 2023 Season

Following a remarkable collegiate career at Alabama, Brian Branch surprisingly fell to Day 2 of the 2023 NFL Draft. The Lions quickly recognized his potential and made a strategic move to trade up and secure him. Although he was considered one of the best value picks of the draft, Branch faced competition for playing time due to the return of established starters like Kerby Joseph and Tracy Walker, as well as the acquisition of C.J. Gardner-Johnson for the nickel role.

As training camp commenced, Branch initially found himself on the junior varsity, primarily working out of the slot position. However, his natural instincts and ball skills quickly set him apart from his peers. Within just a few practices, coaches recognized his exceptional talent, promoting him to the starting lineup and shifting Gardner-Johnson to safety to accommodate him.

“You’re talking about a kid that played at a high level for one of the more historic programs in college football under an elite head coach in Nick Saban,” stated Lions general manager Brad Holmes. “The mental and physical demands of the ‘STAR’ nickel position are significant, so his early success is not surprising.”

As training camp progressed, Branch continued to impress, and by the start of the regular season, it was evident he was the best nickel option on the roster, and arguably the standout player in the Lions’ secondary.

Branch’s Performance and Role in 2023

Note: Statistics reflect regular season performance unless otherwise stated

15 games (9 starts): 738 defensive snaps (77% of available), 50 special teams (13%)
Statistics: 74 tackles, 7 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 3 QB hits, 1 forced fumble, 3 interceptions, 13 passes defended
PFF defensive grade: 78.1 (17th out of 133 CBs who played at least 20% of snaps)
PFF coverage grade: 76.0 (23rd out of 133)
PFF run defense grade: 83.6 (8th out of 133)
PFF pressures: 8 (4th out of 133)
Awards: 5th in voting for AP Defensive Rookie of the Year

Branch kicked off his NFL career in spectacular fashion. He not only overcame every obstacle to earn a starting spot but also made a memorable play, intercepting Patrick Mahomes for a pick-six in the season opener, contributing significantly to the Lions’ stunning upset victory. A fun fact: his game-worn jersey is now enshrined in the Hall of Fame.

After injuries to Gardner-Johnson (who landed on injured reserve) and Kerby Joseph in Week 2, the Lions expanded Branch’s role beyond the slot, incorporating him into traditional safety sets. Facing the Falcons, Branch seized the opportunity to showcase his hard-hitting style.

Late in the fourth quarter, with the Lions leading by two touchdowns, Falcons rookie running back Bijan Robinson caught a pass in Branch’s zone, and Branch delivered a powerful tackle. Though he received a penalty and was fined for the hit, Branch emphasized his commitment to physical play, demonstrating he is unafraid to challenge anyone in his area.

“(Expletive) it,” Branch responded. “(Expletive) it. I’d rather show him that I’m not scared to tackle him, and I’ll take the flag, to be honest.”

In Week 4, Branch sprained his ankle and missed the next two games. After a brief adjustment period in Week 7, he resumed his expanded responsibilities, participating in over 90% of defensive snaps from Weeks 8 through 13.

In Week 14, the Lions revamped their secondary, dissatisfied with the play of safety Tracy Walker and corner Jerry Jacobs. They replaced them with Ifeatu Melifonwu and Kindle Vildor, reducing Branch’s role back to nickel responsibilities. Melifonwu’s immediate success allowed the Lions to focus on fine-tuning Branch’s skills in the slot for the remainder of the season.

“The goal was to let him concentrate on one task,” defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn explained after Week 14. “I remember having Chauncey Gardner-Johnson when I was in New Orleans. He played various positions, and it became a lot to manage. I wanted Branch to focus strictly on the nickel position.”

Glenn clarified that this decision was not a reflection of Branch’s performance but rather a strategy to ensure he excelled in the nickel corner role, mirroring the approach he used with Gardner-Johnson during his rookie season with the Saints.

This strategy proved effective, as Branch concluded the season with PFF overall grades of 67.8, 88.0, 76.1, and 70.5, along with coverage grades of 72.7 and above in each game. He emerged as the most disruptive defensive back in the NFL, averaging an impactful play on 7.1% of his snaps.

“With Brian, all you had to do was watch the film,” noted Lions executive Chris Spielman this summer. “He might be one of the best tacklers I’ve seen. If a receiver catches the ball, he eliminates yards after the catch. His coverage, movement skills, and instincts are exceptional. He’s simply a remarkable football player.”

During the playoffs, the Lions faced three distinct offensive styles, and Branch’s usage varied by game. Against the Rams’ three-wide receiver sets, Branch played nearly every defensive snap (98%) in his nickel role. In contrast, against the more traditional Buccaneers offense, he remained in the slot for 83% of defensive snaps. However, against the run-heavy 49ers, the Lions shifted to a heavier front, which limited Branch to just 41% of snaps, marking his lowest output of the season.

The NFC Championship revealed valuable lessons, one being that utilizing your best tackler and secondary player on fewer than half of your snaps due to a nickel-only designation is not an ideal strategy.

Forecasting Branch’s Role in 2024

Lions coaching staff continues to draw comparisons between Branch and Gardner-Johnson in terms of versatility, mindset, and skill set, indicating a similar developmental trajectory.

“Ducey (Gardner-Johnson) was in a comparable situation when we acquired him in New Orleans,” coach Dan Campbell noted. “It was a question of whether he was a safety or nickel. Once we allowed him to focus on nickel, he truly flourished. Now, he can effectively handle both positions. It’s just about how quickly Branch can reach that level.”

With the Lions focusing on Branch’s understanding of the nickel position in 2023, both parties seem ready to expand his role further in 2024.

“Now he’s been in the system for a year. He gets it,” Campbell said of Branch. “He has a comprehensive understanding of the nickel position, which is beneficial. Now, he can start exploring the safety role.”

Branch’s transition to the safety position faced a minor setback this offseason due to a clean-up procedure that required him to wear a walking boot and use a scooter, causing him to miss OTA/Minicamp. However, the Lions remain optimistic about his progress.

“He had a minor cleanup procedure,” Campbell explained. “Coming out of last year, we thought he would heal, but it turned out we needed to address it. That’s where he is now. He seems to enjoy the scooter, but we believe he’s making good progress. We expect him to be ready for [training] camp. If not, he’ll have plenty of time to get ready for the season.”

Once Branch is back on the field, don’t be surprised if they immediately begin cross-training him at both nickel and safety. For those who subscribe to the PODD newsletter, I discussed various ways the Lions could utilize Branch moving forward, but for those who haven’t, here are some key takeaways.

First and foremost, Branch will still see significant action in the slot because he excels in that role. Sometimes this will occur out of a five-defensive back/three-safety look, and at other times, it could come from the Lions’ base defense.

In the image below (from the Lions’ playoff game against the Buccaneers), you can see a standard five-defensive back setup with Branch in the nickel position, which was prevalent in 2023 and should continue into 2024.

In the next image, Kerby Joseph (No. 31) is positioned in a single-high safety role, while the second safety, Ifeatu Melifonwu (No. 6), is aligned in the slot—indicative of where Branch is likely to line up in the Lions’ base defensive sets.