Brian Branch Madden Career 2024-2026 - Peak 89 OVR
Debut pick-six off Mahomes announced Detroit's versatile safety
Brian Branch announced himself immediately. In his NFL debut, the rookie safety picked off Patrick Mahomes and took it 50 yards to the end zone, becoming the first Detroit player to return an interception for a touchdown in his debut since Lem Barney in 1967. The Lions had traded up to grab him 45th overall in the 2023 draft, the first safety off the board, out of an Alabama defense where he lined up everywhere from the slot to the deep third.
The versatility carried over. He finished his rookie year with three interceptions and 13 passes defended, then broke out in 2024 with 109 tackles, four interceptions and a Pro Bowl selection, including a two-pick afternoon against Dallas that earned NFC Defensive Player of the Week. A torn Achilles in Week 14 of 2025 cut short a rising season and pushed his return to 2026.
The Madden numbers move in lockstep with the trajectory. Branch debuted at 75 in the 2023 edition, leapt to 85 in the 2024 game on the strength of his rookie tape, and reached 89 in the 2025 edition, a defensive back whose rating climbed almost as fast as his reputation.
Brian Branch Madden Career Milestones
- Peak rating: 89 OVR in Madden NFL 2026 (age 23)
- Appeared in 3 Madden releases (Madden NFL 2024 through Madden NFL 2026)
- Entered at 75 OVR in Madden NFL 2024, climbed 14 points to his peak
- Biggest single-year rise: 10 points into Madden NFL 2025
- Played for the Lions across every Madden release in his career
- Listed as a defensive back in every Madden release
Brian Branch Madden Career Ratings
| Madden | Team | Pos | OVR | Speed | ACC | AGI | COD | STR | JMP | STA | INJ | TGH | AWR | PRC | THP | TAS | TAM | TAD | PAC | TOR | TUP | BSK | CAR | BTK | TRK | BCV | SFA | SPM | JKM | CTH | SPC | CIT | SRR | MRR | DRR | RLS | RBK | RBP | RBF | PBK | PBP | PBF | IBL | LBK | TAK | POW | PUR | BSH | PMV | FMV | MCV | ZCV | PRS | KPW | KAC | KRN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2024 2023 NFL season
|
|
DB | 75 | 86 | 92 | 85 | 82 | 57 | 89 | 91 | 92 | 90 | 75 | 70 | 27 | 25 | 21 | 16 | 16 | 15 | - | - | 64 | - | 45 | 78 | 42 | 65 | 72 | 70 | 66 | 63 | 46 | - | 37 | 45 | 35 | - | - | 30 | - | - | 59 | - | 79 | 86 | 80 | - | - | - | 73 | 71 | 65 | 18 | 17 | 76 |
|
2025 2024 NFL season
|
|
SS | 85 | 88 | 92 | 85 | 83 | 60 | 89 | 91 | 92 | 91 | 82 | 84 | 27 | 25 | 21 | 16 | 16 | 15 | - | - | 64 | 65 | 45 | 78 | 42 | 65 | 72 | 74 | 66 | 63 | 46 | - | 37 | 45 | 35 | - | - | 30 | - | - | 65 | - | 80 | 86 | 86 | 62 | 44 | 55 | 79 | 84 | 67 | 18 | 17 | 76 |
|
2026 2025 NFL season
|
|
DB | 89 | 88 | 92 | 85 | 83 | 60 | 89 | 91 | 92 | 91 | 90 | 91 | 27 | 25 | 21 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 20 | 67 | 65 | 45 | 78 | 42 | 65 | 72 | 77 | 66 | 63 | 46 | 41 | 37 | 45 | 35 | 33 | 34 | 30 | 33 | 34 | 65 | 22 | 73 | 87 | 95 | 63 | 44 | 55 | 87 | 88 | 74 | 18 | 17 | 76 |
Era Defensive Backs who played alongside Brian Branch
Brian Branch Madden Ratings by Year
Brian Branch Madden NFL 2024 rating: 75 OVR (2023 NFL season, DET). Brian Branch Madden NFL 2025 rating: 85 OVR (2024 NFL season, DET). Brian Branch Madden NFL 2026 rating: 89 OVR (2025 NFL season, DET).