By Adeniyi Precious 
The Detroit Lions’ decision to move Brian Branch to safety this season has worked out better than expected. Initially, the move seemed like it would only free up the slot corner position for others, but Branch ended up excelling in his new role, forming one of the league’s top safety duos alongside Kerby Joseph.
Branch was still able to showcase his versatility, playing 916 defensive snaps across 16 games. He lined up in different spots, including free safety, slot corner, and even in the box or on the defensive line. Despite a couple of injuries and ejections, Branch still played 91% of the Lions’ defensive snaps, and his impact was undeniable.
He finished the season with impressive stats: 109 tackles, 16 pass breakups, 4 interceptions, and 8 tackles for loss. This earned him a Pro Bowl nod, and he was even ranked as the top run defender among safeties by Pro Football Focus. To top it off, Branch became the first defensive back this century to post 100+ tackles, 15+ pass breakups, and 5+ tackles for loss in a season—a stat that highlights his constant presence around the ball. Given his outstanding play, it’s hard to believe he fell to the second round of the 2023 draft.