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Raiders 7-round 2023 NFL Mock Draft: Las Vegas trades down in Round 1

By Khaled Abdallah

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - OCTOBER 02: Head coach Josh McDaniels of the Las Vegas Raiders meets with an official in the fourth quarter against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium on October 02, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - OCTOBER 02: Head coach Josh McDaniels of the Las Vegas Raiders meets with an official in the fourth quarter against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium on October 02, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Getty Images) /
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Sep 17, 2022; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Brian Branch (14) returns a punt for a touchdown against the UL Monroe Warhawks at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Alabama won 63-7. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 17, 2022; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Brian Branch (14) returns a punt for a touchdown against the UL Monroe Warhawks at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Alabama won 63-7. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-USA TODAY Sports /

Raiders 7-round 2023 NFL Mock Draft: Las Vegas trades down in Round 1

Safety. Crimson Tide . Brian Branch. 39. player. 829.

Brian Branch is considered by many scouts as a mid-first-round pick so we take advantage of our good fortune here and select him 38th overall. He is ranked as the fifth overall defensive back and it would be an incredible value if he is available in the second round.

Branch is built solidly at 6-0 and 193 pounds and runs an impressive 4.44 second 40. He is excellent in coverage and is not afraid to mix things up in the run game as he brings a great deal of physicality to the position. He has great ball skills and has an incredible 14 tackles for loss this season for Alabama as he made a living around the line of scrimmage at times.

The only concern that scouts have about him is a perceived lack of understanding in coverage but he has the athletic ability and to overcome some hesitation. He can play both cornerback, safety, and nickel corner which he did for the Crimson Tide, though his physicality and range projects him as a safety in the NFL.

The Raiders have not given up on Trevon Moehrig at free safety, so grabbing Branch and plugging him in at strong safety would make for a young and athletic pairing. He can learn from Duron Harmon and likely share the field with him as Patrick Graham loves to employ multiple safety looks.

The Raiders have had mixed results with Alabama players, but it is still DBU and Brian Branch looks like a safe pick with a ton of upside.

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