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Alabama safety Brian Branch

Discussion in 'The Bill Nunn Draft Room' started by steelersrule6, Feb 25, 2023.

  1. AskQuestionsLater

    AskQuestionsLater Writing Team

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    Two words; Teryl Austin.


    He has been quite good overall given with what he has been given. Minkah has turned out great and Cameron Sutton is on the verge of a big payday. Outside of those two.... he has not been given much since joining in 2019.


    Now, Grady Brown will he more hands on than Austin will but Austin still can give him some pointers. Mind you when I said he needs to finish nabbing those picks, I mean he needs to place himself in better position on a more consistent basis.



    He has the capabilities to be a ballhawk as the tools and athleticism are there. Just needs the consistency to get there. It is not a hands based issue a la Ike Taylor here.
     
  2. Rollers

    Rollers Well-Known Member

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    Would you be good with drafting Joey Porter with our first pick?
     
  3. AskQuestionsLater

    AskQuestionsLater Writing Team

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    Assuming he makes it there?!


    Yes. I just don't think he is available as he and Christian Gonzalez are likely the first two off the board. There is a chance that Devon Witherspoon could be selected instead but his height likely will cause him to slip a bit.
     
  4. SGSteeler

    SGSteeler Well-Known Member

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    I just hope there is 4 QB's taken before us (and there probably will be). The more QB's, WR's, and Pass rushers that are taken before us, the better. It just means we will have our pick of one of the top CB's, ILB's, DL, or OL. We HAVE to end up with an ILB and a CB with 2 of our first 3 picks.

    Witherspoon would be phenomenal to end up with. Who knows though. It just takes one CB needy team to fall in love with a guy for them to be off the board. I can see any of the top guys being gone before us, but also scenarios where they are available.
     
  5. Rollers

    Rollers Well-Known Member

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    Thanks
     
  6. Jball

    Jball Well-Known Member

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  7. Jball

    Jball Well-Known Member

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    Pretty pedestrian numbers for Branch.

    4.58 forty
    1.56 ten split
    34.5 inch vert
     
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  8. Brice

    Brice Well-Known Member

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    Not sure how this guy qualifies as a run stopping Strong Safety who can allow Minka to go back to playing Centerfield.
     
  9. steelersrule6

    steelersrule6 Well-Known Member

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    Under 4.6 for a safety is a decent time, he's a versatile player for the secondary.
     
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  10. Dax777

    Dax777 Well-Known Member

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    I'm underwhelmed though, he doesn't have that exceptional athletism I was hoping to see.

    Fantastic player though
     
  11. S.T.D

    S.T.D Well-Known Member

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    He sure seemed to play faster than that time. :shrug:
     
  12. Animus

    Animus Well-Known Member

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    Unless the Steelers plan on going to a 3 safety in a 335 set every dahn, I just don't see how getting Branch really helps the Defense. Sure, he can play the box some and be a slot corner some. But he really doesn't solve the CB1 issue. Even going to a 335 look, adding him really doesn't solve CB1. Preferably, CB1 is someone like a Deonte Banks, Joey Porter Jr. or Devon Witherspoon with Cam Sutton playing CB2 with Levi Wallace going to the slot. Steelers are probably more comfortable with Cam and Levi playing on the outside and someone like Kazee or Norwood playing slot than any of us are.

    Personally, I'm thinking the Steelers are leaning with Darnell Wright or Bresee at the 17th slot.
     
  13. Dax777

    Dax777 Well-Known Member

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    This is what it feels like, and not happy. But then again, Steelers not taking who I want in Rd one iss par for the course.
     
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  14. Steel_Elvis

    Steel_Elvis Staff Member Mod Team

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    Joe Haden ran an official 4.57 40 at his combine. The film told a different (and correct) story.
     
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  15. Wardismvp

    Wardismvp Well-Known Member

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    I would like to see Steelers take Jiyaier Brown at 80 covert him
    To SS, he could also play in slot.
     
  16. Steelresolve

    Steelresolve Well-Known Member

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    Kind of reminds me of Mike Hilton. It would be interesting to know what his 40 time was. Branch is instinctual. You can’t measure instincts and heart.
     
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  17. AskQuestionsLater

    AskQuestionsLater Writing Team

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    Given that Cam Sutton is now officially gone, Brian Branch can slide right on in and become the new Cam Sutton. If anything and, as I said, Brian Branch is essentially Minkah Fitzpatrick all over again. Two top flight defensive backs?!

    Sign me up!! :herewego:
     
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  18. Hanratty#5

    Hanratty#5 Well-Known Member

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    I just saw the Draft Network's new mock after today's signing. They have the Steelers taking Branch at #17 to take over for Sutton.
     
  19. AskQuestionsLater

    AskQuestionsLater Writing Team

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    Makes sense to me.


    Cameron Sutton wore a helluva amount of hats during his time with Pittsburgh. Outside of Branch, sadly, there is not another single player in the draft that can replicate what Branch can bring. In addition and, as I have been saying, Brian Branch is essentially Minkah all over again.


    Who wouldn't want to have two High Caliber Defensive Backs?!
     
  20. Steel_Elvis

    Steel_Elvis Staff Member Mod Team

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    I need to spend some time watching him to see if I agree. If I do, then he would be a top candidate at #17.
     
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  21. S.T.D

    S.T.D Well-Known Member

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    Just say no a 17. We need a true CB....not a jack of all trades.
     
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  22. steelersrock151

    steelersrock151 Well-Known Member

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    Gonna disagree with you here, STD. With the signing of Peterson, a slot corner becomes a must, and Branch is probably the best slot corner in the draft. He can play that third safety position almost as well as Minkah plays the weak safety position.
    Sometimes having a Swiss army knife is better than having a hammer.
     
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  23. AskQuestionsLater

    AskQuestionsLater Writing Team

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    If not Minkah, Brian Branch def. is another Tyrann Mathieu. Truth be told, I wouldn't mind it; doubly so now that Patrick Peterson is now a Steeler. Furthermore, this CB class is STACKED. Plenty of talent to be had for certain.
     
  24. S.T.D

    S.T.D Well-Known Member

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    While in His prime I loved His game, but now.....
    Peterson is a 30 something CB that has been caught with PEDs once already .
     
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  25. steelersrule6

    steelersrule6 Well-Known Member

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    I wouldn't take Branch at #17, but I would consider him in the second round.
     
    • Agree Agree x 1

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