NFL Draft: 5 players Eagles should consider in first round

4. Brian Branch, S, Alabama

Branch’s productivity at Alabama had him pegged as a top-15 pick before the combine. Unfortunately for the versatile safety, his stock is falling after mediocre athletic testing results in Indianapolis.

The Eagles are one front office that won’t be turned off by Branch’s sub-standard 40-yard dash time. They will understand it’s his short-range quickness that makes him a quality prospect at either cornerback or safety. He can replicate many of the things Chauncey Gardner-Johnson did for their defense a season ago.

Like Torrence, Branch doesn’t possess superstar potential but does project to be a guy who can help a contending team right away. His versatility would also open up new defensive coordinator Sean Desai’s playbook. He’s a terrific chess piece to play near the line of scrimmage against the run or an opponent’s quick passing game.

Branch might not fall all the way to Philadelphia at No. 30 but his draft stock is headed in the wrong direction at the moment. If he doesn’t improve his speed testing at Alabama’s Pro Day he could fall all the way out of Round 1. It’s easy to envision a scenario where the Eagles become his backstop at 30.