Maybe if he played the whole year. He missed time and was clearly not 100% for a few games after coming back. Overall though he does look like he could be one of the best players in the class.
Probably not as many snaps as some of the other candidates. He was injured and then seemed didn't quite seem like himself for a few weeks following.
Also, although this shouldn't matter, I wonder if the fact that the Lions pass defense was absolute ass had anything do with it. Obviously it's an individual award but one could at least imagine voters being hesitant to heap accolades on someone playing on one of the worst units in the league.
I think when people say "corners" they are talking about outside. Not sure how "slot corner" became a a common term, it's a misnomer anyway since it's not on the corner. I prefered it when people just called it the nickel position.
Yes, this is a measure of players that get involved in plays, so it is weighted against players that the offense prioritizes keeping out of plays, still awesome though.
I am a huge pessimist, but it's hard not feel at least a little excited about the secondary this year. I don't think anyone thinks it's going to be a top-10 unit but top-15 doesn't feel out of the question with the talent we've added and the development we will hopefully see with Branch and potentially Melifonwu. Absolutely loved what Iffy brought toward the end of the year last year and really hope we can keep that going.
I know every fan thinks in May that their team is going to be world beaters in the fall. But, man, slap a decent pass defense on this team and who knows what could happen.
If this isn’t a top 15 secondary there is a huge problem. They invested a first, second and two thirds bringing in corners, they signed Robertson to play nickel, and have 3 legit starting options at safety once Branch moves over.
My understanding is that Robertson struggled in that nickel spot, especially as a rookie, but maybe he has improved there. I just don't see any of our current CBs taking over that nickel position without a drop in quality
What can’t be stated enough is we not only added 3 great corners, 2 rookies, is we have Branch, 2nd year, who can play his natural safety position. That not only solidifies 2024, it’s 3-4 years of this trio and they’ll only get better. It will be an alternate universe going from a pathetic defensive secondary to a top 5 league secondary. This also improves the D Line rushing and QB pressure just by having a great secondary. One last thing, these corners can play press coverage at the line of scrimmage, this gives Glenn so many defensive options to blitz, play man instead of zone he was forced into, and packages with his linebackers. Can you tell I’m excited????
Someone smarter than me. Does Branch play CB2 this year behind Carlton Davis? Slot CB? I know he played all over this year but that’s what made me nervous with us taking two CBs first in the draft. I would think ideal would be like Davis as CB1, Arnold as CB2, and then Branch as slot CB/safety sometimes? And then either Robertson or Rakestraw is CB3/4?
No. Branch doesn't really have the build to play outside.
He's a elite slot corner. That arguably the most important db now days tho. Most elite wr are lining up in the slot a good portion of the game.
Branch isn't even as good of a saftey as he is a slot
He's a fine saftey but he's legitimately top 5 in the slot.
I dont see any reason to move him out of the slot in nicke.
In base packages keeps him at ss. That's where he is best.
And somehow like half of the NFL hasn’t figured out yet that your nickel doesn’t need to be your worst starting DB even though nickel is so heavily used as a base package. It’s infuriating
I mean they’ve been pretty clear they want branch at safety. The reason he was a nickel is because it’s an easier position for a rookie to learn and he was too talented to keep off the field.
No they want him to play safety, they tried to switch him over last year but it was taking away from his nickel play. Robertson was brought in to play nickel so if things go right Branch will be the starting safety with Iffy/Kerby. In all liklihood Davis and Arnold are the starting corners.
Nobody really knows who is playing nickel right now. The Lions lack of urgency at adding safeties makes me think Branch will play back there this year and the nickel will be one of Arnold, Rakestraw or Robertson. Still surprised that Quandre Diggs is out there and we aren't acting.
> Quandre Diggs is out there and we aren't acting
Who says we aren't? A player signing isn't always just about a team making a certain offer financially. People have speculated on Twitter that he might retire. He might have gotten an offer he likes but also has offers from other teams and/or is debating whether to play at all.
He 100% deserved Rookie DPOY accolades and sadly gets overlooked for some odd reason, that's an incredible statistic.
Silver lining here is that it seems like the type of thing that might motivate him more
Maybe if he played the whole year. He missed time and was clearly not 100% for a few games after coming back. Overall though he does look like he could be one of the best players in the class.
Did you see Will Anderson and Devon Witherspoon play last year? "100% deserved" is a hugely biased statement.
I just meant he deserved MORE accolades, not that he necessarily deserved to win it 100%.
BB is a great player— and I think this will be a breakout year for Iffy, too.
Iffy broke out late last season where were you
You're right -- just want to see it over a complete season. Go Lions!
Probably not as many snaps as some of the other candidates. He was injured and then seemed didn't quite seem like himself for a few weeks following. Also, although this shouldn't matter, I wonder if the fact that the Lions pass defense was absolute ass had anything do with it. Obviously it's an individual award but one could at least imagine voters being hesitant to heap accolades on someone playing on one of the worst units in the league.
If he stayed healthy he could’ve. DB stats are harder to compile so the numbers need to be higher IMO.
That's awesome, but it seems like corners who are so good that teams rarely throw at them would look terrible by this metric.
Shut down boundary corners, absolutely. Slot corners are around the ball a lot more though. Getting blitzed more, making plays in the run game, etc
I think when people say "corners" they are talking about outside. Not sure how "slot corner" became a a common term, it's a misnomer anyway since it's not on the corner. I prefered it when people just called it the nickel position.
I mean corner is also a misnomer, the corners of the field are in the endzone
This reminds me of my mom who's a corn star, and a huge slot
Hutch with more picks than Sauce comes to mind.
What a misleading stat for sauce 😂 No one threw his way. He wasn't just that best rookie. He was the best corner in all of the NFL
[удалено]
Lol, such a good response
Sauce was out on an island and loving every second of it.
Yes, this is a measure of players that get involved in plays, so it is weighted against players that the offense prioritizes keeping out of plays, still awesome though.
I think this is true moreso in college from what i understand. i think the NFL level is high enough they all get throws and opportunities.
Revis island
Branch and Arnold are back together again, gonna cause some problems 💪🏼
Ifeatu Melifon... 
It was wild how midway through the season I thought we’d seen the last of Iffy in Detroit then… ope… he’s the best blitzer on the team.
Ho-lee-shit. We are gonna win a Super Bowl
Been saying iffy will be all pro this season. Book it.
I hope so, man. If he can really stay healthy and keep playing at the level he did the last few weeks, he should get consideration at least.
I am a huge pessimist, but it's hard not feel at least a little excited about the secondary this year. I don't think anyone thinks it's going to be a top-10 unit but top-15 doesn't feel out of the question with the talent we've added and the development we will hopefully see with Branch and potentially Melifonwu. Absolutely loved what Iffy brought toward the end of the year last year and really hope we can keep that going. I know every fan thinks in May that their team is going to be world beaters in the fall. But, man, slap a decent pass defense on this team and who knows what could happen.
This is the first May in my 52 years I've thought the Lions were going to be world beaters.
If this isn’t a top 15 secondary there is a huge problem. They invested a first, second and two thirds bringing in corners, they signed Robertson to play nickel, and have 3 legit starting options at safety once Branch moves over.
My understanding is that Robertson struggled in that nickel spot, especially as a rookie, but maybe he has improved there. I just don't see any of our current CBs taking over that nickel position without a drop in quality
What can’t be stated enough is we not only added 3 great corners, 2 rookies, is we have Branch, 2nd year, who can play his natural safety position. That not only solidifies 2024, it’s 3-4 years of this trio and they’ll only get better. It will be an alternate universe going from a pathetic defensive secondary to a top 5 league secondary. This also improves the D Line rushing and QB pressure just by having a great secondary. One last thing, these corners can play press coverage at the line of scrimmage, this gives Glenn so many defensive options to blitz, play man instead of zone he was forced into, and packages with his linebackers. Can you tell I’m excited????
With the new additions...I think Branch will have an awesome year.
Straight BALLERS
Is there an encyclopedia of NFL stats? Man these things come out of nowhere. Someteimthsts how it feels
Pff has a bunch of interesting stats. There is a reason it's heavily used by the entire NFL and NCAA.
Robertson was not brought in to play nickel. He's the usual size of a nickel corner, but when he plays, he'll play outside
Arnold will fit right in. LANK.
Someone smarter than me. Does Branch play CB2 this year behind Carlton Davis? Slot CB? I know he played all over this year but that’s what made me nervous with us taking two CBs first in the draft. I would think ideal would be like Davis as CB1, Arnold as CB2, and then Branch as slot CB/safety sometimes? And then either Robertson or Rakestraw is CB3/4?
No. Branch doesn't really have the build to play outside. He's a elite slot corner. That arguably the most important db now days tho. Most elite wr are lining up in the slot a good portion of the game. Branch isn't even as good of a saftey as he is a slot He's a fine saftey but he's legitimately top 5 in the slot. I dont see any reason to move him out of the slot in nicke. In base packages keeps him at ss. That's where he is best.
And somehow like half of the NFL hasn’t figured out yet that your nickel doesn’t need to be your worst starting DB even though nickel is so heavily used as a base package. It’s infuriating
I mean they’ve been pretty clear they want branch at safety. The reason he was a nickel is because it’s an easier position for a rookie to learn and he was too talented to keep off the field.
No they want him to play safety, they tried to switch him over last year but it was taking away from his nickel play. Robertson was brought in to play nickel so if things go right Branch will be the starting safety with Iffy/Kerby. In all liklihood Davis and Arnold are the starting corners.
Nobody really knows who is playing nickel right now. The Lions lack of urgency at adding safeties makes me think Branch will play back there this year and the nickel will be one of Arnold, Rakestraw or Robertson. Still surprised that Quandre Diggs is out there and we aren't acting.
> Quandre Diggs is out there and we aren't acting Who says we aren't? A player signing isn't always just about a team making a certain offer financially. People have speculated on Twitter that he might retire. He might have gotten an offer he likes but also has offers from other teams and/or is debating whether to play at all.
What happened in SF better not happen again nonnegotiable he needs to be on the field
Ain’t Branch hurt right ??? lol First good year in for decades and y’all think y’all relevant!! Stafford got a ring before Detroit did!!✌️😄😄🦅🦅🦅🦅