Lions' 2024 Breakout Player: Brian Branch

Detroit Lions defensive back Brian Branch was outstanding as a rookie. Branch quickly established himself as a high-quality starter and every-down defender. He's now going to elevate himself to elite status as a sophomore.

The No. 46 overall selection in the 2023 NFL Draft, Branch opened last year's training camp as the second-team slot cornerback. Ball skills and instincts quickly catapulted the former Alabama standout to the starting lineup. He recorded a pick-six against Patrick Mahomes in Week 1. Early-season injuries forced Branch to play some traditional safety as well, proving he's capable of moving around the defensive backfield as necessary.

Branch then suffered an ankle injury in Week 4 and missed the following two contests. After playing nearly every defensive snap from Weeks 10-13, the Lions made changes to their struggling secondary that placed Branch back in a nickel-only role. The versatile defensive back rotated in and out more through the conclusion of the regular-season campaign. In the heartbreaking NFC Championship Game defeat to the run-heavy San Francisco 49ers, he played a season-low 41% of snaps.

Branch appeared in 15 games with nine official starts. He totaled 738 defensive snaps, recording 74 tackles, 13 passes defensed, seven tackles for loss, and three interceptions. Branch's overall defensive grade from Pro Football Focus was 78.1 and his coverage grade was 76.0, both of which finished in the top 25 among all qualifying cornerbacks. He finished fifth in Defensive Rookie of the Year voting.

Despite Branch experiencing an outstanding season, the Lions' secondary generally struggled. They allowed a 27th-ranked 247.4 passing yards per contest. General manager Brad Holmes responded by making sweeping personnel changes this offseason.

The Lions will have two new starting boundary cornerbacks in 2024. Holmes selected former Alabama cornerback Terrion Arnold with the No. 24 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. He also acquired Carlton Davis III in a trade with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in exchange for a third-round selection. Holmes also doubled down at cornerback in the draft by selecting Ennis Rakestraw Jr. in the second round.

Kerby Joseph and Ifeatu Melifonwu are still available at the safety position. Joseph is the traditional single-high safety. The Lions are a matchup-based defense under head coach Dan Campbell, so expect Branch to continue playing nickel and safety as necessary. Branch is talented and versatile enough to see increased usage through his entire sophomore season.

Branch was extremely productive as a rookie. His usage toward the conclusion of the campaign became slightly inconsistent as the Lions searched for answers to their struggling secondary problems, but limiting his involvement was a mistake. Branch should establish himself as an elite versatile defender as a sophomore.