All offseason, there has been talk about the Detroit Lions moving Brian Branch to safety. Given how great he was playing nickel corner as a rookie last year, that landed initially as potentially foolish. But the offseason overhaul of the cornerback depth chart has pushed that position switch door wide open.
As he recovered from offseason ankle surgery and now has been eased into action to start training camp, we haven't seen what Branch playing safety looks like in the Lions' secondary as it's now constructed. Last year, counting the playoffs (according to Pro Football Focus), he played 34 snaps at free safety.
Branch was quickly taken off the PUP list to start camp, so as pads come on for the Lions Monday his untethered presence on the practice field seems to be coming. Head coach Dan Campbell has already offered the idea that Branch can be even more impactful playing safety, which is an interesting thought that can't be dismissed.
Brian Branch looking forward to seeing what he can do as a safety
Branch spoke to the media after Saturday's practice. His move to safety was an obvious topic du jour, and it's safe to say he's embracing it.
“I believe last year I played a little bit of safety, especially early in the season and a little bit towards late in the season. I just feel like A.G. (defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn) makes his defense so safeties can make plays in this defense, Branch said, via John Maakaron of SI.com. “You’re farther back from the line of scrimmage, so that means you can move anywhere and make a lot more plays on the ball compared to nickel. I’m looking forward to it. I just have to go get it."
Branch added how he wishes he would have seen more action at safety as a rookie.
"Honestly, I wish they did put more reps at safety on me last year, just because I feel like I would’ve been a lot further along than I am now,''
Branch added (h/t to 97.1 The Ticket) that he feels he's ahead of schedule and is hoping to be on the practice field in full pads by the end of next week. Then we'll see how one of the Lions' best defensive players looks in a different role.