NFL Mock Draft 2023: Post Super Bowl LVII edition

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - DECEMBER 31: Bryce Young #9 of the Alabama Crimson Tide reacts after throwing a touchdown pass during the fourth quarter of the Allstate Sugar Bowl against the Kansas State Wildcats at Caesars Superdome on December 31, 2022 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) /

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Nov 19, 2022; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama defensive back Brian Branch (14) delivers a hit on Austin Peay wide receiver Drae McCray (10) at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-USA TODAY Sports /

26. Pick Analysis. S. Alabama. Brian Branch. player. 123. Scouting Report

The best safety on the entire board is finally going to be drafted at the end of the first by the Dallas Cowboys and it’s going to be a nice fit for him. Some even consider him to be the best defensive back in the entire draft class, but the cornerback position is much more of a need in the first round for most teams so I can see him dropping to the Cowboys at No. 26.

Brian Branch is one of the best tacklers in the entire class and he’s elite against the run while being above average against the pass.

Dallas could use a cornerback, defensive or offensive lineman, or a linebacker in the first round, but I don’t think they can pass up on the best safety in the class.

Branch finished his three-year Alabama career with 172 tackles, 19.5 tackles for loss, four sacks, three interceptions, and 23 pass breakups. He’s a future All-Pro and of course the Cowboys get him as a steal.

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