Discussion: Where does Brian Branch rank among all safeties?

Is Brian Branch already one of the top safeties in the NFL? Our thoughts on where he should be ranked.

Who would have thought that after Aidan Hutchinson was lost for the season, the Detroit Lions would have another defender making a case for Defensive Player of the Year honors? After switching over to his new role at safety, Brian Branch had an up and down Week 1, but has really found his groove as of late and has been especially stellar over the past couple of weeks.

With the Lions fighting for first place in the division, Branch may have had his best game yet against the Minnesota Vikings. Early in the game, when the Lions had just started to pick up some momentum after cutting the lead to three points, Branch made a huge play breaking up a pass intended for Jalen Nailor on third-and-9 to force the Vikings’ second straight punt. On the very next defensive series, Branch laid out for an interception on a poorly thrown ball from Sam Darnold, which led to another touchdown on the ensuing offensive series to give Detroit a 21-10 lead.

But perhaps Branch’s most underrated play came near the end of the game, when David Montgomery fumbled the lead over to the Vikings, giving Minnesota a 29-28 lead. The Vikings attemped to go for two, but Branch’s defensive stop allowed the Lions to set up for a game-winning field goal rather than potentially sending the game into overtime.

It remains a mystery how Branch lasted midway through the second round in the 2023 NFL Draft when he continues to make game-changing plays like these. Through the first seven weeks of the NFL season, Pro Football Focus has Brian Branch as their top overall graded safety (91.7).

Today’s Question of the Day is…

Where does Brian Branch rank among all safeties in the NFL?

Detroit undoubtedly has the best safety duo in the league right now with Branch and Kerby Joseph lighting the league on fire. And although it’s a very small sample size of Branch as a full-time safety, he is absolutely playing like the top safety in the league right now. He is currently tied for second (with Joseph) with four interceptions among all defenders, and he’s second in the NFL in pass breakups with 11, despite having only played in five games.

Branch’s production, if he can keep it up, could earn him an All-Pro selection in just his second year (first year as a full-time safety) and it could launch him into more DPOY discussions, too.

I also think you have to give credit to the coaching staff for putting him in a position to make the plays he’s been making. The coaches calling for Branch to move to safety full-time was clearly the right move, and Glenn has done a fantastic job of game planning and putting Branch in a position to make plays.

Let’s hear from you. Is Branch already the top safety in the NFL? Where would you rank him right now? Let us know in the comments below.