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Kansas City Chiefs: Meet Tyvon Branch

By Alec Tilson

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The Kansas City Chiefs recently signed former Oakland Raiders safety Tyvon Branch to a one-year contract worth two million dollars. Branch has struggled with injuries during his career, but if he can remain healthy, he’ll be a great fit for the Chiefs’ secondary in 2015. Let’s take a look at some of the basics of Branch.

Meet the Chief

Contract: 1 year / $2 million (Base)
Age: 28 (Date Of Birth: 12/11/1986)
College: University Of Connecticut
Draft: Round 4, Pick 1, 2008 (OAK)
Tangibles: 6’-0”, 210 lbs.

Positives

The positives about Branch is that he’s a downhill and physically impressive strong safety. He’s a great tackler, posting 124, 104, 109 and 94 combined tackles in consecutive seasons from 2009-2012, according to ESPN.com.

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His 98 total tackles in his sophomore season ranked eighth in the NFL, ahead of Ray Lewis, London Fletcher, Lance Briggs and every other defensive back in the game. For comparison, Eric Berry’s highest total tackles was 77 in his rookie season (although he was on pace for 80+ last season before being sidelined).

Branch also has straight-line speed. He ran a 4.31 in the 40-yard dash was good for third at the 2008 NFL Combine behind only RB Chris Johnson, and ahead of RB Darren McFadden, WR DeSean Jackson and some guy named Jamaal Charles, according to NFL.com.

Branch was also a high-school track star at Cicero-North Syracuse High School in Cicero, NY, Branch won the 2004 National Indoor Track Championship in the 60 meters (6.82), according to CBS Sports.

He’s an instinctual player and plays like a linebacker in a safety’s body. He’s low to the ground, has good eyes, and attacks and wraps.

(Source of link: YouTube.com)

Negatives

As for the negatives, there are a few. Branch is not a ball-hawking playmaker, posting a lousy four interceptions and 20 passes defensed in 75 career games, according to ESPN.com. That’s not to say he’s not around the ball (he also has good hands), but it’s clear that Branch is a box safety who makes plays in front of him more so than downfield. To wide receivers crossing the middle next season, sleep tight.

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    • Another negative for Branch is that he had five combined games played in 2013 (fractured fibula) and 2014 (fractured foot). The two significant lower body injuries are reasonable concerns for an explosive defensive back. It’s not a good trend, but it’s better than a head or neck injury. Branch had no significant injuries before 2013.

    Impact

    It’s tough to label Tyvon Branch as an immediate starter with Ron Parker’s new deal in place, as KC Kingdom’s own Leigh Oleszczak wrote about, and the time he’s missed. Until camp, I’ll slot Branch as the Chiefs’ second strong safety with the ability to win the job outright, as he’s more of a pure strong safety than Parker.

    The hole left by Berry can’t be filled, but the Branch signing at that price is a phenomenal low-risk gamble on a guy who could provide you a legitimate NFL safety.

    Conclusion

    Tyvon Branch is a poor-man’s Eric Berry, which is to say he’s an awesome football player. For a secondary that lacked a punch after Berry’s medical leave, Branch brings it. On a one-year deal, Branch is playing for a new contract, which could be excellent for the Chiefs.

    Next: Kevin White Scouting Report

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