Ravens land versatile defender in mock draft

Brian Branch. Gary Cosby Jr.-USA TODAY Sports

Ravens land versatile defender in latest mock draft

By Aaron Becker | Last updated 2/24/23

NFL.com writer Daniel Jeremiah has released his mock draft 2.0 and the former NFL scout has the Ravens landing another playmaker for their secondary.

With the No. 22 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, Jeremiah has Baltimore selecting Alabama CB Brian Branch.

"Alabama players will always be coveted by the Ravens. Baltimore will value Branch's versatility and playmaking ability," he writes.

If Branch falls to the Ravens, it would certainly be a win. The Alabama product is currently ranked as the No. 9 overall prospect on Pro Football Focus' big board.

The 21-year-old had 90 tackles, three sacks, two interceptions and seven passes defensed in 2022. He also received the highest tackling grade (91.8) among all defenders in college football.

Brian Branch: 91.8 tackling grade last season

Highest among all defenders in College Football pic.twitter.com/lCIbIrKLv1
— PFF College (@PFF_College) February 8, 2023

Branch's addition in Baltimore may be all the more important if it isn't able to retain CB Marcus Peters who is set to become a free agent. Peters is projected to demand a two-year, $19.78 million contract, per Spotrac.

It will certainly be big shoes to fill as Peters compiled 138 tackles, six forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries, eight interceptions and 25 passes defensed as a Raven.

Branch seems to have the traits to take his place, and pairing him with CB Marlon Humphrey could cement the outside corners in Baltimore for years to come.

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