This isn’t a particularly strong safety draft, but the #1 guy on almost every board is Alabama’s Brian Branch, who is expected to go somewhere near the end of the first round. I’ve seen mocks where he’s going anywhere from 18 to 30, where the Eagles have their second pick.

No clue if he’d drop that far, to 30 overall, or if the Birds would have to move up a few spots to snag him, but here’s a quick introduction to the best safety in the draft, starting with Connor O’Gara from our sister site Saturday Down South:

Branch is 6’0″, 190 pounds, a junior who Lance Zierlein compares to Minkah Fitzpatrick.

Here’s the blurb from Zierlein’s write up at NFL.com:

Plug-and-play defensive back with every ingredient necessary to become a high-performing starter early in his career. Branch has primarily handled nickel coverage at Alabama but has the range and instincts for single-high or split safety looks. He’s quick, fast and strong with the ability to match up with shifty slots, bigger possession receivers and pass-catching tight ends. He’s urgent and has a mind for the game. He takes playmaking angles into the throwing lane but does have a tendency to play it a little safe from off-man coverage. There are areas where he can improve but no real weaknesses, which could make him one of the safest picks in the draft.

Howie Roseman needs to keep keeping it simple here. Keep drafting Bama guys. Keep drafting UGA guys. Get players from the best college teams in the country.