Lions wrap draft class contracts following latest signing

The Lions are the latest team to finalize their draft class agreements, signing second-round pick Brian Branch to his four-year rookie deal. This agreement also should help other teams in finalizing second-rounders’ deals.

A defensive back out of Alabama, Branch went to the Lions at No. 45 overall. Entering Tuesday, no one chosen between Nos. 40 and 49 had signed their respective rookie contracts. The Lions striking a deal with a player in the middle of that glut should break some of the ice regarding guaranteed money.

Carolina gave No. 39 overall pick Jonathan Mingo three years fully guaranteed with a partial Year 4 guarantee. That has held up the players chosen immediately after Mingo. It will be interesting to see the terms Branch agreed to, seeing as second-rounders continue to make strides on the guarantee front — so much so this year’s top second-round picks (Joey Porter Jr., Will Levis) are undoubtedly angling for fully guaranteed rookie contracts.

Branch saw extensive time at safety and in the slot for the Crimson Tide; he joins a team that has committed significant resources to improving its secondary. The Lions have added corners Cameron Sutton and Emmanuel Moseley along with safeties Branch and C.J. Gardner-Johnson. The latter two are each experienced in the slot, and Gardner-Johnson — a former New Orleans disciple of current Detroit DC Aaron Glenn — is expected to see more time inside compared to his Philadelphia role at safety. That could impact Branch’s rookie-year contributions, but CJGJ is signed to a one-year deal.

Branch will be under contract through 2026. The SEC standout was on the radar to be a first-round pick, reaching that level after being the only Division I-FBS player to total at least 90 tackles, 14 TFLs and two interceptions in 2022. ESPN’s Scouts Inc. ranked Branch as this year’s 30th-best prospect. He figures to be a key factor for the Lions in the long term, but with Kerby Joseph and Tracy Walker in place at safety, it is uncertain what the rookie’s role will be.