In his rookie season, Lions cornerback Brian Branch quickly made a name for himself as a nickel cornerback, starting nine out of 15 games and playing in the majority of the Lions’ defensive snaps. However, this year the Lions are looking for even more from Branch. Lions defensive assistant Jim O’Neil believes that Branch has the potential to play close to 100 percent of the snaps if he remains healthy.
O’Neil stated that last season the team was cautious in easing Branch into one position, but now in his second year, they plan to be more aggressive with him. The goal is to have Branch on the field for all three downs, and they will be pushing him to reach that level. However, Branch will need to prove himself during training camp to secure a spot among the 11 Lions players who are on the field for every defensive snap.
Despite his success as a rookie, the Lions are looking for Branch to take the next step in his second year. They may consider him as a safety or a nickel cornerback, and training camp will be crucial in determining his role for the upcoming season. With a strong young nucleus of players, the Lions believe that Branch can be a key player in maintaining their recent success and contributing to the team’s future achievements.