Alan Branch's stock is plummeting

by Skin Patrol on Mar 23, 2007 2:07 PM EDT in Analysis

I only mention this because per the Mock Draft Database, 38% of Mock Drafts have us selecting Alan Branch. I don't want to place too heavy an emphasis on Mock Drafts, or "Big Boards", but some of the people in the know seem to think Alan Branch isn't all he's cracked out to be. And perhaps there is some reason in the Wisdom of the Masses. Which is fine with me because I don't think we should select at #6 anyways and if we did I'd just as soon take a DE to improve our pass rush. Just me.

First, per Tony Pauline at CNNSI.com:

Alan Branch/DT/Michigan: As was the case at the combine Branch looked out of shape at pro-day. Participating in just the defensive line drills, he was winded only a few minutes into the session. At one point Branch was considered a potential top-six pick, but now he will likely slip out of the draft's first dozen selections.

As if that wasn't bad enough, a recent look at Mel Kiper's Big Board (Hat tip: Extreme Skins) reveals that Alan Branch has fallen out of the top 25 (!!!) behind DTs Amobe Okoye and Justin Harrell.

Whether or not this drastically influences your thoughts on the Redskins at #6 will depend entirely on how reliable you think Mel Kiper and other talking Draft heads are. Knock yourselves out in the comments section (slow day).

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Branch is a good player...

he doesn't work out well. The knock on him at first was that he took plays off. The fact that he's out of shape would support that criticism. He'll be a good player, even as a rookie, but I'm not sure he'll ever be the great player that his talent would suggest. Okoye will probably end up being the top DT from this year's draft, though he might need an adjustment period (seeing that he's barely old enough to buy porn, smoke cigarettes and register to vote.)

The Skins need another DT. But they need a DE who gets to the QB more. I would think that they draft a DT at some point in the draft, maybe another 6th rounder that they hope turns out to be the 2007 version of Golston.

In any case, some team in the 12-24 range will be glad they drafted Branch. And glad they don't have to pay him top money.

by TexSkins on Mar 23, 2007 3:06 PM EDT 0 recs

Just my thoughts

I agree. PennSkinsFan here from hailRedskins.com. Have to admit, as I update these Mocks on a every other day basis, I am shocked at times that Branch is number one. If we stay at 6, I actually seeing us taking Laron Landry or Calvin Johnson IF available, If not, I see us going Amobi Okpoye or Jamaal Anderson, butt in reality, the Skins are unlikely to stay at #6.

Home of the Largest Mock Draft Database http://www.hailredskins.com/MockDraft.htm

by PennSkinsFan on Mar 24, 2007 10:23 PM EDT 0 recs