Lions safety Brian Branch is off to an incredible start to his career and may very well be on his way to becoming the highest-paid safety in NFL history.
Though his first 33 games played, Branch has recorded 30 passes defended, 18 tackles for a loss, seven interceptions, three sacks and three forced fumbles.
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Those numbers, in and of themselves, are excellent. Those numbers look even better when you factor in that only one other defensive back since 1999 had at least 30 passes defended, 15 tackles for a loss, five interceptions, three sacks and three forced fumbles in his first three seasons. That player? None other than Hall of Fame safety Ed Reed. Keep in mind, Branch is only two games into his third season.
Reed had 44 passes defended, 19 tackles for a loss, 21 interceptions, four sacks and four forced fumbles through his first three seasons.
Is it too early to say Branch is on the same career trajectory as one of the greatest players of all time? Who knows? But to already be linked up with Reed? Quite the accomplishment for the former second-round pick.
This article originally appeared on Lions Wire: Brian Branch posting stats no safety except Ed Reed has done before