# Brian Branch — what pundits predicted CB · Alabama 15 checkable claims from 9 pundits. These are other people's predictions about what he will do — we grade the prediction, never the player. ## Measurables - 40-yard dash: 4.58 s - Vertical: 34½″ - Broad jump: 10′5″ - Bench press: 14 reps - Height: 6′0″ - Weight: 190 lb 2023 NFL Scouting Combine. Drills not listed were not performed. Combine results via [Pro-Football-Reference.com](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/draft/2023-combine.htm). ## What pundits expect (14 unsettled) - “safety Brian Branch ... will be good to go on Sunday” — [Michael David Smith](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/michael-david-smith), for 2026, said Nov 13, 2026; not settled yet — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/73dd82df-1385-4037-8020-bf4ff296e2b5 - “Safety Brian Branch left the game against the Vikings with a head injury, but appears ready to play against the Dolphins.” — [John Maakaron](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/john-maakaron), for 2026, said Nov 6, 2026; not settled yet — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/2b6020a8-9c71-48a3-9b60-4418df87f67f - “However, Detroit's safety room will get a big boost potentially as soon as this week with Brian Branch returning from an Achilles injury.” — [Christian Booher](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/christian-booher), for 2026, said Oct 20, 2026; not settled yet — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/6959ba5b-86ac-4b9e-9f09-3df231703277 - “Brian Branch is set to make his 2026 debut in Week 7 ... Campbell said on Monday that he expects the former Pro Bowler to be activated ahead of Sunday's divisional showdown against the Green Bay Packers.” — [Carter Bahns](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/carter-bahns), for 2026, said Oct 20, 2026; not settled yet — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/9439f18f-43ec-4fe2-973b-cdf7faefca2f - “Branch should return for Week 7 after being sidelined since December because of a torn Achilles.” — [John Maakaron](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/john-maakaron), for 2026, said Oct 13, 2026; not settled yet — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/57420b84-a49c-4673-961c-0bb65eafe7a0 - “After Sunday's game, the Lions have their bye week before returning to action with a game against Green Bay in Week 7. Branch and Mays could both be on track to return for that game.” — [Christian Booher](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/christian-booher), for 2026, said Oct 11, 2026; not settled yet — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/3eb49c6f-914e-4065-8695-a994bff02a88 - Brian Branch — “could be in line to return to the active roster after the team's Week 6 bye week” — [John Maakaron](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/john-maakaron), for 2026, said Oct 10, 2026; not settled yet — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/5c7a2381-65e2-4f1b-9680-cd5800a60bb3 - “With safeties Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph out with injuries... Neither Branch nor Joseph is expected back by Week 4.” — FantasyPros, for 2026, said Sep 21, 2026; not settled yet - “Neither Branch nor Joseph is expected back by Week 4.” — [Pat Fitzmaurice](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/pat-fitzmaurice), for 2026, said Sep 21, 2026; not settled yet — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/2cbd48f6-15ea-4aa5-84bc-bcc50d94d09a - “Neither Branch nor Joseph is expected back by Week 4.” — FantasyPros, for 2026, said Sep 21, 2026; not settled yet - “Neither Branch nor Joseph is expected back by Week 4.” — FantasyPros, for 2026, said Sep 21, 2026; not settled yet - “The Lions should get Branch and Joseph back by week four, so the hope is that Sheppard can unlock more of his playbook with both guys in the lineup.” — [JP Acosta](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/jp-acosta), for 2026, said Sep 17, 2026; not settled yet — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/3c999712-9381-4b37-936d-4a9e76c36de7 - Brian Branch to sign a new deal — [Carter Bahns](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/carter-bahns), for 2026, said Sep 12, 2026; not settled yet — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/2c13e536-5c70-4fa2-9eb1-18ca8f851c9b - Brian Branch to be picked “1st round pick” — [Brendan Donahue](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/brendan-donahue), for 2023, said Apr 18, 2023; not settled yet — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/162ad716-afba-41f3-817f-e64d31007901 ## Settled (1) - Brian Branch to be picked at number 24 — [Ryan McCrystal](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/ryan-mccrystal), for 2023, said Apr 18, 2023; scored 40.26 out of 100 (a naive guess scored 50) — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/40af5841-7437-4bbc-8432-88cbb660dcf2 --- Page: https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/brian-branch Method: https://missedtakes.co/methodology