A pair of NFL sophomores, Lions defensive back Brian Branch and Texans defensive end Will Anderson, are the respective NFC and AFC Defensive Players of the Week, the league announced Wednesday afternoon.
And in the near future, they’ll likely force the University of Alabama to add to this graphic.
Branch, the 45th overall selection in the 2023 draft, joined the Lions 42 picks after Houston chose Anderson third overall, in the first round. Judging by early returns, the Lions and Texans hit the jackpot on their 2023 draft classes. Anderson and quarterback C.J. Stroud swept the respective Defensive and Offensive Rookie of the Year Awards, and Houston also snagged wide receiver Tank Dell in the third round. Detroit, meanwhile, drafted Jahmyr Gibbs and Jack Campbell in the first round and Sam LaPorta in the second round – all before they selected Branch.
Branch robbed Dak Prescott on two occasions in Detroit’s 47-9 win at Dallas last week. He also collected six tackles and forced a fumble to earn his first career weekly honor. A Lions defensive back has now won the award in four straight seasons (Ifeatu Melifonwu in Week 16, 2023; Kerby Joseph in Week 9, 2022; Tracy Walker in Week 18, 2021). A former Alabama defensive back has now won the honor three times in two weeks, after Xavier McKinney and Pat Surtain took the honors in Week 5.
In Houston’s 41-21 win at New England, Anderson led the NFL with three sacks and added another tackle behind the line of scrimmage. A thorn in the side of Patriots quarterback Drake Maye, Anderson also broke up a pass.
Like Branch, Anderson also earned his first career weekly award. He joins an impressive group of Texans defensive ends to claim the honor, J.J. Watt (seven times), Mario Williams (twice) and Jadeveon Clowney.
Both Anderson and Branch have marquee games on the Week 7 docket. The Texans (5-1) face Green Bay (4-2) at Lambeau Field (1 p.m. ET, CBS) while the Lions (5-1) get Minnesota (5-0) at U.S. Bank Stadium on Sunday (1 p.m. ET, FOX).
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