Detroit Lions Second-Round Pick Brian Branch Could Be Minkah Fitzpatrick 2.0

After selecting Brian Branch in the second of the 2023 NFL Draft, the Detroit Lions may have the next Minkah Fitzpatrick.

“He’s a role model,” Branch said. “I look up to him. I study him to see what’s going to help my game.”

Branch, an Alabama product, not only shares the college lineage of the Pittsburgh Steelers safety, but he also shares some of his versatile skills.

He can play nickel back, safety or outside corner. He was asked where he desires to play at the next level.

“Wherever [coach Dan Campbell] needs me to be,” Branch said. “I’m a do-it-all-back.”

Fitzpatrick started out as a cornerback at Alabama, but after senior safety (and future Chicago Bears star) Eddie Jackson suffered a season-ending leg injury in 2016, Fitzpatrick replaced him at safety and earned AP All-American honors.

Branch also had a decorated college career. In his true freshman year at Alabama, he started three games and recorded 27 tackles, two interceptions and seven pass breakups in the Crimson Tide’s 2020 national championship season. He led the Tide with nine pass breakups the next year (while also recording 55 tackles).

But he really broke out, earning second-team Associated Press All-American honors, as a junior starting all 13 games and stuffing the stat sheet with 90 tackles, 14 tackles-for-loss, three sacks, two interceptions and seven pass breakups.

The 6-0, 190 pounder ran the 40 in the 4.58 speed at the 2023 NFL Combine

“I wish he ran a little faster than he did,” said NFL Network analyst Daniel Jeremiah, who praised Branch’s versatility, during his conference call. “He is the best nickel in the draft. You can play him all over though.”

Perhaps that 40 time caused Branch to fall out of the first round (unlike Fitzpatrick who went 11th overall in 2017) to 45th overall this year.

Despite dropping to the second round, Branch stuck around in Kansas City — unlike players like quarterback Will Levis and cornerback Joey Porter Jr. who bolted after not getting selected in the first round.

Branch is glad he stayed. He praised the vibe in Kansas City and the excitement in shaking NFL commissioner Roger Goodell’s hand.

“I’m blessed to be here. Not that many people can do this,” he said. “I’m just happy that I participated in that.”

When the first round came and went without Branch being selected, he received a boatload of supportive text messages, advising him to make other teams regret passing on him.

“It didn’t go the way that I wanted it to go,” he said. “But I’m blessed.”

Falling into the second round, though, did cost him a fifth year on his first contract.

Those rookie deals are slotted and will be similar to those who were picked in the same spots last year.

Last year’s No. 45 pick, Baltimore Ravens edge rusher David Ojabo, signed a four-year, $7.9 million contract, including a $2.9 million signing bonus and an average annual salary of $1.98 million.

Perhaps Branch can parlay his next deal into a very lucrative one — like Fitzpatrick, a three-time Pro Bowler, did. He is the second highest paid safety in the NFL in both total value ($73.6 million) and average annual value ($18.4 million) after Los Angeles Chargers safety Jalin Hyatt.

By joining the Lions, Branch will be reunited with other Alabama players, including wide receiver Jameson Williams.

“I’m very excited,” he said. “He’s made me better, and I’ve made him better. Just to be on the same team again is crazy.”

He also will be on the same upstart Lions squad as former Alabama running back Jahmyr Gibbs, who the Lions drafted 12th overall.

“I’m ready to build with them,” Branch said.