2025 Defense Stats
TCKL
22
SACKS
1.0
INT
0
FF
1
TD
0
Rest-of-Season Projections
2025 Fantasy Outlook
Branch was one of the few key players on the Lions' defense to avoid major injury in 2024, and he entrenched himself as both a key chess piece for Detroit as well as one of the best safeties around the league. As was the case in his rookie year, he played all over the secondary in 2024, though his decreased usage in the slot and increased snap count as a strong safety helped him increase his tackle total relative to his rookie year. That should remain the case for two reasons in 2025. First, Ennis Rakestraw - a second-round pick in 2024 - should be healthy to begin the campaign and is the favorite to claim the slot corner role. Second, Branch has quickly proven to be elite as both a run defender (his 8.4 run stuff percentage was the most among safeties that played more than 15 snaps, per PFF) and pass rusher, meaning the Lions should want to use him a healthy amount of time in the box. That will allow him to contribute across the stat sheet and remain an elite safety option in IDP leagues. Read Past Outlooks
Defends three passes vs. Cleveland
Branch logged five tackles (three solo) and three pass defenses during the Lions' 34-10 win over the Browns on Sunday.
ANALYSIS
Branch was one of three Lions defenders to play every single snap and was responsible for three of the team's 10 pass defenses against Browns quarterback Joe Flacco. Branch is up to 22 total tackles through four games, and he is on pace to crack 100 tackles for a second consecutive season.
Branch was one of three Lions defenders to play every single snap and was responsible for three of the team's 10 pass defenses against Browns quarterback Joe Flacco. Branch is up to 22 total tackles through four games, and he is on pace to crack 100 tackles for a second consecutive season.
NFL Stats
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2025 NFL Game Log
2025
2024
2023
2025 NFL Game Log
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Snap Distribution / Depth Chart
Snap Counts
Snap %
2025 Brian Branch Split Stats
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Measurables Review
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How do Brian Branch's measurables compare to other safeties?
This section compares his draft workout metrics with players at the same position. The bar represents the player's percentile rank. For example, if the bar is halfway across, then the player falls into the 50th percentile for that metric and it would be considered average.
Height
6' 0"Weight
203 lbs40-Yard Dash
4.58 secVertical Jump
34.5 inBench Press
14 repsHand Length
9.50 inArm Length
30.75 inPast Fantasy Outlooks
2024
2023
Branch was considered one of the better defensive backs in the 2023 NFL Draft, proving to be a steal after he fell to Detroit in the second round. During his rookie campaign, the 22-year-old recorded 74 tackles, including a sack, while also forcing a fumble. Playing both nickel cornerback and safety, the latter of which he settled into as the season went on, he compiled 13 pass deflections and three interceptions, one of which he returned for a touchdown. Branch figures to operate as Detroit's primary strong safety in 2024, a role in which he likely will continue to flourish.
More Fantasy News
Notches six stops against Ravens
Branch finished Monday's 38-30 Week 3 win over Baltimore with six tackles (five solo) and a defensed pass.
ANALYSIS
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Dominant in win
Branch tallied six tackles (six solo), including 1.0 sacks, during Detroit's win over the Bears on Sunday.
ANALYSIS
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Commits costly penalty vs. Packers
Branch recorded five tackles (four solo) during the Lions' 27-13 loss to the Packers on Sunday.
ANALYSIS
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Monster Year 2 with Detroit
Branch finished the 2024 regular season with 109 total tackles (79 solo), including 1.0 sacks, while also adding 16 passes defensed, including four interceptions, and a forced fumble over 16 games.
ANALYSIS
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Notches sack in win
Branch recorded seven total tackles (four solo), including 1.0 sacks, in Monday night's 40-34 win over the 49ers.
ANALYSIS
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Latest Fantasy Rumors
Ranked second-best among safeties
Branch was ranked the league's second-best safety based on votes from a combination of NFL executives, scouts and coaches, per Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com.
ANALYSIS
The top spot unsurprisingly went to Kyle Hamilton, who remains the consensus best safety in the NFL, but Branch is now viewed as the best of the rest. Branch has assuaged any concerns about his coverage ability coming out of Alabama, which pushed him down to the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft. He had 16 passes defensed to go with his 109 tackles in the 2024 regular season, and Branch's 21.1 percent ball-hawking rate was second-highest among safeties that faced 50 or more targets.
The top spot unsurprisingly went to Kyle Hamilton, who remains the consensus best safety in the NFL, but Branch is now viewed as the best of the rest. Branch has assuaged any concerns about his coverage ability coming out of Alabama, which pushed him down to the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft. He had 16 passes defensed to go with his 109 tackles in the 2024 regular season, and Branch's 21.1 percent ball-hawking rate was second-highest among safeties that faced 50 or more targets.