NFL scouts finally admit what Lions fans have known about Brian Branch for years

Back in 2023, the Detroit Lions drafted Brian Branch in the second round of the NFL Draft. Since then, the biggest question about Branch has been "How did this guy fall to the second round?"

On draft night, he showed up in Kansas City expecting to go in the first round. Everyone thought he would, and he just didn't. Since he was there, he came out on stage on night two. What were scouts thinking? Well, now we have an idea. 

On Thursday, ESPN partnered with NFL executives and scouts to rank the top 10 safeties in the NFL. Branch was ranked second behind only Ravens' All-Pro Kyle Hamilton. In the ranking, a scout admitted what they got wrong about Branch. 

"The one knock on him coming out [of Alabama] was coverage, but he proved all of that wrong. He's been excellent. Very instinctive. He was good at nickel but has more range than that."

As a writer, I've never really had a chance to write this word, so here goes. Duh! 

Branch has been very good in coverage since coming to the Lions. It's not what he's the strongest at, but it's not something that should have pushed him out of the first round. 

Branch's versatility is what makes him the second-best safety in the NFL. He can play any position in the secondary. He can play free safety, strong safety, outside cornerback, and nickel. The Lions have had to ask him to do all of those things, and he's knocked them all out of the park. 

While his teammate Kerby Joseph is the highest-paid safety in the league right now, do not at all be shocked when Branch surpasses him after this season. The Lions have the best duo in the league, and they're going to be worth every dollar.