Welcome to the 17th daily installment of the NFL Draft 1-through-32 series on DK Pittsburgh Sports, intended to introduce you, a prospect at a time, to the top 32 players in the class on a consensus basis, leading right up to the main event.
That, of course, will be April 27-29, in Kansas City, Mo., though all 32 teams, including the Steelers on the South Side, will operate from their local headquarters.
NO. 17: BRIAN BRANCH
Alabama safety
Branch is the No. 17-rated player on Pro Football Focus' big board, perhaps fittingly. Branch might be the most NFL-ready defensive back in the draft, with the athleticism to match the wit at a high level. There is, without a doubt, a thought that Branch could end up on the Steelers -- and that he could thrive with them.
COLLEGE BACKGROUND
An All-American at Alabama, Branch was a dominant force within Nick Saban's defense. Last season, he racked up 90 tackles, 14 for loss, three sacks, and a pair of quarterback hurries to go with seven pass breakups and two interceptions in 13 games.
He was the everyday starter on the unit's "Star" position, which is widely regarded as the do-all spot within the Saban defense. More information on an explanation on that spot can be found HERE.
In 35 career games with Alabama, Branch tallied 172 total tackles, 19.5 for loss, and four sacks to go with three interceptions and 23 passes defended. He put a capstone on his career in the Sugar Bowl against Kansas State on New Year's Eve with a career high 12 tackles, four tackles for loss, a sack, and an interception.
The Tyrone, Ga., native Branch was highly coveted out of high school as a four-star prospect and, according to 247Sports, the No. 3 consensus safety in the nation in the class of 2020. He held 27 offers out of high school, with the majority being from Power Five programs. Branch earned a comparison to former Cleveland safety Damarious Randall out of high school.
NFL COMBINE, PRO DAY
How is this for a comparison: In his post-NFL Combine evaluation, NFL analyst Lance Zierlein compared Branch to current Steelers safety and reigning team MVP Minkah Fitzpatrick.
Branch tested among cornerbacks at the Combine, earning a production score of 96, first among position mates. He measured at 6 feet, 197 pounds with a 30 3.4-inch arm length and a 9 1/2-inch hand width.
He did not test well athletically in comparison to other Combine cornerbacks, with a 4,58-second 40-yard dash, a 34.5-inch vertical, a 10-foot-5 broad jump, and with 14 reps on the bench press, but his measurables were not so terrible as to overshadow every other box that Branch undoubtedly checks.
Here is an interesting point about Branch's pro day: He worked out with a Jacksonville coach during the drills portion of the event.
That coach? Former Steelers cornerback Deshea Townsend.
Superstitious folks can speculate how they may about that.
Brian Branch spending individual time with the Jags DB coach after the workout. Pick 24? pic.twitter.com/pwRAJeu4Jx
— Billy M (@BillyM_91) March 23, 2023
MOCK DRAFT
The USA Today mock draft consensus tracker has Branch going at No. 21 overall to the Los Angeles Chargers, with an average draft slotting at 21.83. Our own latest mock draft has Branch as an option for the Steelers at No. 17, but ultimately going to Jacksonville at No. 24.
THE HIGHLIGHTS
THE STEELERS' STANDPOINT
Branch should on the radar, and for all of the good reasons. This feels like a player Mike Tomlin could love within the draft process and coerce Omar Khan into taking at 17.
COREY'S TAKE
If I was your prototypical "mock draft" guy -- and I'm not, which is why I'm doing a series like this and not a "here-is-where-I-think-they'll-end-up" mock draft series this time around -- then Branch would be my pick for the Steelers at 17. The comparison to Fitzpatrick is not a coincidence just based on the film study. Branch has been the guy since high school and has he lived up to every expectation at every level, including the highest while playing for the best college football program going in America right now. Branch is plug-and-play from Day 1 with zero second thought to it. A smart pick, a safe pick, and one of a select few players which would be the right pick for Khan and Co.
THE REST
1. Alabama QB Bryce Young
2. Georgia DT Jalen Carter
3. Alabama DE Will Anderson Jr.
4. Kentucky QB Will Levis
5. Ohio State QB C.J. Stroud
6. Florida QB Anthony Richardson
7. Illinois CB Devon Witherspoon
8. Texas Tech DE Tyree Wilson
9. TCU WR Quentin Johnston
10. Oregon CB Christian Gonzalez
11. Northwestern OT Peter Skoronski
12. Ohio State WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba
13. Pitt DT Calijah Kancey
14. Iowa DE Lukas Van Ness
15. Utah TE Dalton Kincaid
16. Maryland CB Deonte Banks
