If Alan Branch falls to #22

[Bob Sacamano]

Ditto. If we were a 4-3 team, I would have definitely voted 'yes,' but I'm not sure a 3-4 NT is really worth a first round pick. I don't think the Patriots have got enough out of Wilfork to consider him worth that high of a pick.

Wilfork was taken w/ the 21st overall pick, and was a beast for the Pats last year

 

[marchetta]

Alan Branch DT Michigan​

STRENGTHS
Alan is the biggest, most talented, purely athletic DT that I have seen in a long time. He controls the line of scrimmage from hash mark to hash mark. He is a big, powerful kid who has nimble feet and knows how to use leverage to get the advantage on his opponent. He swallows up double teams and disrupts a pulling offensive guard with ease. Alan seems to be a team player and does not mind being that worker bee DT that is so important for a successful defense. Alan Branch is the type of player you build your defense around. He shows me good mental strength and leadership qualities in his play on the field to go along with his athletic talent and size.

NEEDS TO IMPROVE
Alan will have to learn to handle the pressures of being an NFL player. He will have to learn the usual technical aspects of his position because up until now, he has been able to overpower his opponents with his natural size and strength. All this kid needs is repetitions and experience; he should be a dominating force at the next level.

TALENT BOARD ROUND: 1
Alan will be a force at the next level that every offensive coordinator will have to account for on every single play. He will most likely require double-teaming on most plays, which will free up other players to commit impact plays. Alan is ready for the next level football-wise, but you always worry about a junior coming out early. Maturity and work ethic will be the only two issues that will stop Alan from being an excellent DT. He can play in any defensive system and although he does not have the quickest burst off the line, this will get better with experience. He can be a good pass rusher in time with a little more technique work and experience; however, his biggest strength will be his ability to control the line of scrimmage from hash mark to hash mark. Alan is a franchise player with the potential to be one of the better DT’s to play at the next level. His worth will not be measured on a stat sheet. It will be measured by how many playoff games, Super Bowl games and Pro Bowl games he plays in. Alan is like that tree in the forest. You know, that tree that everyone is always trying to figure out if when it falls, does it make a sound? He is my answer to that age-old question -– who cares? All I know is that I don’t want to be caught dead under it. That’s how I feel most offensive linemen are going to feel going up against Alan after a game is over. They are going to feel like a tree fell on top of them and they will not care how many tackles or sacks Alan may have or may not have in the game. All they are going to know is that he kept leaning and falling on them all game long and their bodies are going to feel it for the rest of the week.

- Drew Boylhart (thehuddlereport.com)

 

[CalCBFan]

I know I'm in the minority here, but I would have to pass on him after some of the more recent evaluations of him. Going by some of the recent scout and "analyst" evaluations, his bust potential is pretty high. To me, a first round pick is far too valuable to use on someone like him. I think I'd take him if we could trade back a few spots and pick up some more picks though.

If we don't get him, we could get Soliari in the third or fourth.

This is exactly what I was going to post. 3/4 NT is no place for a guy that doesn't work hard every play and love, love, love the game...

 

[JIMMYBUFFETT]

I voted yes but would rather have Amobi Okoye .

 

[dargonking999]

I said, yes, but if we have a OT there like blaylock, i say draft him, and just FA sign a NT

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

I think I've mentioned this before but I know this boy. He went to HS at Cibola High, right down the street from where I live. His father still works for the City of Rio Rancho. They are good people. I would take this boy and never look back. He is not just a good football player, he's a solid kid. Comes from very solid people from what I've seen.

 

[Oh_Canada]

I'm just not so sure Branch is the selfless type which is needed to play the "nose" in the 3-4.

 

[Roughneck]

I said, yes, but if we have a OT there like blaylock, i say draft him, and just FA sign a NT

Blalock, while playing some OT at Texas, will NOT play OT in the NFL. He is a pure guard.

 

[tomson75]

I think I've mentioned this before but I know this boy. He went to HS at Cibola High, right down the street from where I live. His father still works for the City of Rio Rancho. They are good people. I would take this boy and never look back. He is not just a good football player, he's a solid kid. Comes from very solid people from what I've seen.

Now THAT interests me. I like first hand knowledge of prospects...especially if its coming from a respected poster on this board. It does, however, seem to contradict what has been said of him as of late. Many scouts are questioning his maturity. Maybe he just needs a year or so to grow up?

 

[tomson75]

I'm just not so sure Branch is the selfless type which is needed to play the "nose" in the 3-4.

What makes you think that?

 

[InmanRoshi]

Why does everyone act like we haven't drafted offense in a decade when our 2nd and 3rd rounds have been dominated by offense in recent years?

 

[tomson75]

Why does everyone act like we haven't drafted offense in a decade when our 2nd and 3rd rounds have been dominated by offense in recent years?

Because everyone is stupid.

 

[CalCBFan]

I think I've mentioned this before but I know this boy. He went to HS at Cibola High, right down the street from where I live. His father still works for the City of Rio Rancho. They are good people. I would take this boy and never look back. He is not just a good football player, he's a solid kid. Comes from very solid people from what I've seen.

So is he from TX or AZ?...

 

[kiheikiwi]

If someone like Branch were to fall into our laps at #22, we would most definately take him.Just on value alone, not even takeing into account that he could play spareingly behind Ferguson, learn the position of "nose" behind a very good player. Get stronger - and again,
learn.
With his size, and probably room to put on more muscle - how could we not?
Value, size, position of need - no brainer, however I just do not see him falling that far on draft day!

 

[Oh_Canada]

What makes you think that?

Nothing specific, just wondering how a guy who has always been a "star" will take having to be nothing more than a punching bag for his teammates?

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

Now THAT interests me. I like first hand knowledge of prospects...especially if its coming from a respected poster on this board. It does, however, seem to contradict what has been said of him as of late. Many scouts are questioning his maturity. Maybe he just needs a year or so to grow up?

Well, I think you do have to context this a bit. He is a Jr. from Albuquerque NM. He's not a big city kid or anything like that. Ann Arbor Michigan is not exactly huge either. I mean, it doesn't surprise me that he isn't coming off like a big time player from Miami. He's not that kind of personality. I would also not be surprised to see him be the victom of some miss information. There are lots of teams who, IMO, covet this player. Anybody past 10 knows they probably are not going to get a chance to draft him.

I'll tell you something else. Everybody is looking at him as a NT. He could play that position but instead, consider what he could do as a 34 DE. Look at him like a Richard Seymour type player and that's the kind of player I could see him as for us.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

So is he from TX or AZ?...

He's from Albuquerque NM. Actually Rio Rancho, which is a berb of ABQ.

 

[carphalen5150]

There is not even any thought to this...you take him. He is a legit 3-4 NT and will get better.

 

[newlander]

this kid has bust written all over him. He took LOTS of plays off @Michigan in the games I saw. Great one play, no where the next. Inconsistent from game to game. I have a gut feeling we won't take him if he's there anyway.

 

[burmafrd]

He came to his pro day out of shape and fat. Its been mentioned that in interviews he has not impressed. I think this guy is Gabe Watson part deux.