Tyvon

Branch

Schweigert lost his starting job after getting injured halfway through last season, and with the addition of SS Gibril Wilson and rookie DB Tyvon Branch, he was deemed expendable. Hiram Eugene has more job safety.

Huff made six tackles, while Eugene didn’t make the box score. SS Tyvon Branch led the team in stops, forced a fumble, and remains the best IDP bet in this secondary. For the year, Branch is averaging eight tackles a game.

Per La Canfora, the sides made “major progress” late last week, and it’s a matter of “when,” not if, a deal is reached. CSN Bay Area reported Tuesday the sides were “inching along, even as it appears to be a stalemate.” Vittorio Tafur of the San Francisco Chronicle agrees with La Canfora that a deal is close.

That progress appears to be modest, however. Beat writer Paul Gutierrez characterizes the discussions as “inching along, even as it appears to be a stalemate.” Branch has already signed his $6.2 million tender for the 2012 season. Entering his first season in head coach Dennis Allen’s scheme, Branch has until Monday’s deadline to land a long-term deal.

The deal includes $17.1 million guaranteed. Branch was set to count $6.2 million against the salary cap under his franchise tender, but that number will certainly be much lower now. The Raiders reportedly entered the week less than $1 million under the cap. A 16-game starter each of the past three seasons, Branch has excelled in run support, notching at least 104 tackles every year since 2009. He graded out as Pro Football Focus’ 20th best safety in 2011. An ascendant player, Branch is expected to have an expanded role in new coach Dennis Allen’s defense.

Branch has started 57 consecutive games, but is in serious danger of missing Sunday’s contest against the Saints. If Branch sits, the Raiders will turn to Mike Mitchell to make his first NFL start. Mitchell would have his hands full with Jimmy Graham, who will be an elite fantasy play in this extremely favorable matchup.

Branch is one of the only legitimate players on Oakland’s defense, and analyst Mike Mayock opined that he may be the best tackling safety in the NFL. Mike Mitchell is in the game to replace Branch.

Branch was set to earn a $6 million base in 2012, but the Raiders knocked it down to $715,000 and converted the rest into a “signing” bonus. Oakland tacked on two years to Branch’s deal in the process, and he’s now signed through 2017. Before the move, the Raiders were about $1.5 million under the cap.

Branch was known as a bigger hitter in college, but he missed much of his rookie season with a shoulder injury. While second-rounder Mike Mitchell will push Branch, he’s behind the curve after missing minicamp action with a hamstring injury.

The Raiders have long been high on Branch, but there have been whispers that they’ll do something surprising at No. 7 overall, like draft Malcolm Jenkins and put him at safety. Branch will be a huge IDP sleeper if he keeps the strong safety job, though. It’s an extremely tackle-friendly position.