Three targets at the 14th overall pick for the Patriots

There’s always been a pretty good connection between the Patriots and Alabama, and now with the re-addition of former Alabama OC Bill O’Brien, that trend looks to continue. We all know how Belichick loves his Alabama players, and Brian Branch could be no different.

Brian Branch is listed as a safety on PFF, but that does not tell the whole story of what he brings to a defense. If there’s one word that can sum up Branch pretty well, it’s versatility. In his three years at Alabama, he’s lined up at various positions on the defense, including safety, nickel corner, linebacker, etc.

Branch measures at a respectable 6’0, 193 pounds. He’s a smart player that utilizes his play recognition and athleticism to his benefit. He’s a physical player known to be a great tackler with impressive range.

While he excels as a defender in zone and blitzing situations, scouts note the difficulty he has as the slot in man-to-man, as he can often allow receivers to create separation, resulting in letting up big plays. 

However, in a defense led by the mind of Bill Belichick, the kind of versatility he brings to the table can be maximized by one of the great defensive minds in the game. If utilized correctly, Branch could be a home run pick at 14.

With the loss of Devin McCourty and the need for improvement at corner and linebacker, Branch could be the perfect addition to check all those boxes for this Patriots’ defense in 2023.