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5 homerun prospects for Packers in 2023 NFL Draft’s first round

By Brian Sampson

Nov 26, 2022; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Brian Branch (14) tackles Auburn Tigers safety Marquise Gilbert (27) during the second half at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 26, 2022; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Brian Branch (14) tackles Auburn Tigers safety Marquise Gilbert (27) during the second half at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports /
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Green Bay Packers
OXFORD, MISSISSIPPI – NOVEMBER 12: Brian Branch #14 of the Alabama Crimson Tide during the game against the Mississippi Rebels at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on November 12, 2022 in Oxford, Mississippi. (Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images) /

Homerun prospects for Packers: Brian Branch, Safety, Alabama

Branch is the most realistic draft target on this list, coming in at no. 20 on The Athletic’s NFL Draft consensus Big Board. Spoiler: Nobody else on this list is below 12, which is why they are home run selections.

The fit with Branch and the Packers is too perfect to pass up. Adrian Amos and Darnell Savage had awful seasons and Green Bay could be moving on from both of them. The former is a free agent and the latter could be included in a trade so the Packers don’t have to pay him nearly $8 million in 2023.

According to many outlets, Branch is the top-rated safety in this year’s class. He’s an extremely solid tackler who rarely misses his target. He can also move inside to the slot or near the line of scrimmage to provide run support. That’s where he’s most comfortable and spent nearly all of his time in college. He does lack the size and athleticism you want from a top pick.

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