Clemson defensive end Andre Branch provides potential suitors in the 2012 NFL Draft with positional flexibility and a non-stop motor.

Branch racked up 10 1/2 sacks in 2011, and the senior posted two games with at least 10 tackles on the year. 

Effort and athleticism

Strengths

• Athleticism and versatility (can play defensive end in a 4-3 and 3-4 OLB)
• Displays flexibility and leverage coming off the edge
• Violent hands - plays with a bit of a mean streak
• Understands his assignments and remains disciplined
• High-motor guy - relentless in pursuit
• Gives strong effort against the run
• Long arms (34 inches)
• Breaks down well in space as an open-field tackler
• Good closing speed
• Plenty of upside in the right scheme - ideally fits as a situational pass-rushing end in a Cover 2 base defense

Weaknesses

• Erratic initial burst
• Lacks ideal size (6-foot-4 1/4, 259 pounds) and strength to anchor against double-teams
• Inconsistent - 4.0 of his 10 1/2 sacks in 2011 came in one game
• Limited experience standing up as a rusher
• Struggles to consistently maintain a low center of gravity
• Needs to focus more on wrapping up his tackles instead of exploding through players

Expected draft placement

Branch could sneak into the late first round, but a mid-to-late second-round placement is far more likely. He could draw interest from the Detroit Lions, New England Patriots, Minnesota Vikings, Green Bay Packers, St. Louis Rams, Houston Texans, Tennessee Titans and Miami Dolphins.