4 reasons Steelers fans should not want Brian Branch at pick 17 in the NFL Draft

Steelers already have Minkah Fitzpatrick

I'll admit it: it would be cool to see the Pittsburgh Steelers pair Minkah Fitzpatrick with another elite safety in the secondary. But I really don't view Brian Branch as that player. The hit rate on safeties when it comes to finding Pro Bowl talent is very low, and most teams that spend first-round draft capital at the position end up disappointed.

The Steelers already have the best in the business with Fitzpatrick, so how much capital and money can they afford to throw at the position? Considering drafting and trading, the Steelers have spent two first-round picks at the safety position since 2019, and they need to start focusing their efforts at other positions.

No matter who winds up next to him in the secondary, I feel very confident that Fitzpatrick is still going to be a force in the secondary that opposing quarterbacks must account for. Going with a player like Branch seems like overkill when the Steelers have so many other pressing needs.

I do think there is a lot of value in having a versatile defensive back like Alabama's Brian Branch, but there are too many reasons why Pittsburgh Steelers fans should not want to take this player with the 17th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.