2023 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Brandon Joseph (DB – Notre Dame)

As the NFL season winds down, FantasyPros will be taking a look at early NFL draft scouting reports before the combine in March. Here’s a look at Brandon Joseph.

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2023 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Brandon Joseph (DB – Notre Dame)

Brandon Joseph (DB – Notre Dame)

6’1″ – 196 lbs.

Background:

Originally attended Northwestern, where he redshirted, then enjoyed an outstanding 2020 campaign in which he totaled 46 tackles, six interceptions and two breakups in the shortened season. Followed that up with 79 tackles, three interceptions and four breakups the following year before transferring to Notre Dame. Had a reasonably effective junior campaign, if a less productive one on the stat sheet (30 tackles, one pick-six interception, one breakup); was limited to 10 appearances.

Positives:

Has played at a high level in each of his three college seasons. Big, lanky safety who looks the part. Does a little bit of everything; played most frequently in the box at Northwestern but has been at high safety more often for the Irish, with a solid amount of slot play in each season; could conceivably play any of the three roles at the pro level as well. Fast and explosive player. Rangy enough to play some single-high with quick feet in his drops. Sound fundamentals on his backpedal (balance/footwork), with clean transitions to driving on a spot. Sniffs out screens and other routes developing underneath. Flips his hips well. Able to get back in-phase because of his recovery speed. Instinct is to play downhill, showing some physicality with opposing ball carriers. Gets good extension to play off of blocks. Takes solid angles in pursuit and does a good job of working through congestion.

Negatives:

Best season was his 2020 campaign. Would like to see him play a little bit more conservatively in high zones. Ability to anticipate routes from zone is still a work in progress; relies on his recovery speed more often than you’d like. Can be pulled up by play-action, taking advantage of his aggressiveness. Doesn’t squeeze routes much at the stem when working from the slot. Minor balance issues. Some tendency to overpursue. Lapses into hitting or arm-tackles instead of wrapping at times, leading to missed tackles. Missed some time this past year with a sprained ankle.

Summary:

A toolsy, versatile safety who has produced for three straight seasons in college and should be able to do a little bit of everything at the next level, but who has a few things to work on, namely route/play anticipation and tackling technique, to reach his full potential. Starting-level upside should attract teams’ attention on the second day of the draft, even if he didn’t have the type of final season some were expecting.

Projection: Round 3