Brad Holmes and the Lions saw a chance to land one of the top defensive backs in the draft, and didn't miss. Detroit traded up from No. 48 with Green Bay and took Alabama's Brian Branch No. 45 overall Friday night.
The Lions sent the Packers pick No. 159 to facilitate the deal.
A starter in the backend of Alabama's defense the last two seasons, Branch has the versatility to play multiple spots in the secondary. He's a "plug-and-play defensive back with every ingredient necessary to become a high-performing starter early in his career," says NFL.com's Lance Zierlein.
At 6'0, 190 lbs., Branch also plays with physicality. Among his 90 tackles last season, he had a whopping 14.0 tackles for loss -- second on the team to only third overall pick Will Anderson -- and 3.0 sacks. In the air, he had seven passes defended and two picks.
Branch is the latest addition to the Lions' rebuilt secondary after the club signed Cam Sutton, Emmanuel Moseley and C.J. Gardner-Johnson in free agency, all of whom will be immediate starters. Branch could be the same at the nickel spot, where he played primarily at Alabama.
His quickness and strength allow him to "match up with shifty slot receivers, bigger possession receivers and pass-catching tight ends," says Zierlein. His flexibility will make him a natural fit in Detroit's defense under Aaron Glenn, which allowed the most yards per play in the NFL last season.
Zierlein adds that "with no real weaknesses," Branch could be "one of the safest picks in the draft." And given where they got him, the Lions hope one of the best.