3 players Eagles could move up to draft

1. Brian Branch

C.J. Gardner-Johnson’s versatility made him a high-impact player for the Eagles’ defense. That’s why replacing him with a player who can operate at both safety and corner could appeal strongly to decision-makers in Philadelphia.

Make no mistake, Branch should be deployed primarily as a safety who can make plays near the line of scrimmage. He’s at his best when he’s given the freedom to attack and get downhill against the opposing run game.

He does have the coverage skills required to hold up against short and intermediate routes. That means he won’t be overmatched against tight ends and running backs at the next level. He’s ideally suited to fill Gardner-Johnson’s shoes as a versatile, but downhill-leaning safety.

Like Gonzalez, Branch is another player who projects to be a comfortable top-20 selection. If the Eagles want to land him they’ll need to move up 10-15 slots. That’s a steep price to pay for a safety but Branch has star potential. He could easily land in Philadelphia if his stock slips a little as the draft approaches.