Surprise pick at number one in this 2023 NFL mock draft

15. Green Bay Packers: Brian Branch, S, Alabama

Adrian Amos remains a free agent, as the Green Bay Packers have been unsuccessful thus far in resigning the safety.  Drafting Brian Branch all but guarantees Amos signs elsewhere and that is a good thing for the Packers.  They get a day-one starter on a rookie contract.

Green Bay could go wide receiver here to give their presumed starting quarterback Jordan Love more weapons, such as Jordan Addison but I think they stick with defense here.  They haven’t drafted a first-round wide receiver in years, so why start now?

Branch would be a great addition here and the Alabama safety is considered by most to be the best and most complete safety in the NFL Draft.  He is another athlete that made Bruce Feldman’s Freak’s List, stating:

"Brand, at 6 feet, 194 pounds, is a strong DB, squatting 565 and power-cleaning 335. He’s also got a lot of speed, having clocked 22.3 mph on the GPS system."

He’s solid in either man or zone coverage and is excellent in run support as well.  He brings a ton of versatility to the field as well, playing in the box, nickel, corner, or deep safety.  There isn’t much he can’t do.