Coming out of Alabama, Brian Branch
was broadcasted as one of the top safeties available in the 2023 draft class, which became realized as he was the top safety off the board in the second round last year. During his rookie season in Detroit, though, Branch saw very little time at safety, something that is likely to change
in 2024, according to Lions senior writer Tim Twentyman. 
Though Branch wasn’t playing in his assumed role as a rookie, he was still a very significant factor on the defense in 2023. In nine starts over 15 games played, Branch racked up 74 tackles, 13 passes defensed, and three interceptions (one returned for a touchdown) working almost exclusively as a nickel cornerback. Those rookie efforts earned him a ranking as the 14th-best cornerback in the NFL, according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required ), and the second-best pure slot corner behind New York’s Michael Carter II ; Kansas City’s Trent McDuffie and Seattle’s Devon Witherspoon also saw significant time in the slot but played a decent amount on the outside, as well.
The safety spots in Detroit last year were manned by Kerby Joseph on one side and Tracy Walker and Ifeatu Melifonwu , who split time on the other side in 2023 after an injury held C.J. Gardner-Johnson out of 14 contests. With Gardner-Johnson back in Philadelphia and Walker being released back in February, a door has opened for Branch to get more work at a thinner safety position. Defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn reportedly prefers his nickelbacks to have experience at safety due to the physical demands of the slot in today’s game anyway.
We haven’t seen evidence of this newly expanded role for Branch yet this offseason in minicamp or organized team activities. A minor surgical cleanup procedure on the young defensive back’s ankle has held him out of early activities this offseason, per Justin Rogers of The Detroit News.
Once he returns to the field in camp, though, it will be interesting to see just how much the Lions intend to cross-train Branch on the defense this offseason. Branch should likely get an opportunity to start alongside Joseph at safety. Should the Lions prefer to utilize him in last year’s nickelback role at all, Melifonwu should be able to rotate in as an additional defensive back to cover the back end. While Detroit is still a bit thin at safety, Branch’s versatility should provide some potential solutions in 2024.