If I had to choose one NFL analyst that I trusted more than any other, it would be Gil Brandt. Not only did he serve as the Dallas Cowboys GM during the days of Tom Landry, but since then he’s stayed involved in the game and ranked prospects each year since then. Brandt came out with a list of the Top 150 Prospects so here’s his list. Let’s take them 40 at a time and then we’ll talk about each grouping:
Of course the first thing that jumps off the page is that Brandt has ranked Joe Burrow first overall when most other analysts have Chase Young as their top ranked prospect in the draft. While that doesn’t make any difference to the Kansas City Chiefs, or their fans, it does raise the question: is Brandt giving us a list of ranked prospects or a prediction of the order in which he expects these players to be chosen?
Something I think Brandt gets very right here, is his view of the OT class… and his view of OTs overall. He has 4 in the top ten and 8 OTs in the top 35.
Next, my eye is drawn to the number of CBs listed in his top 32, which is four. If the Chiefs do choose to go corner at #32, it means there should be many starting quality CBs left, available to them.
By looking at the top 40 here first, we can assume that the Chiefs pick will in all likelihood be from this group of prospects. If Veach goes LB, Zack Baun would still be on the board according to Brandt. If He goes for a RB in the first round — a possible BEPA choice — D’Andre Swift would still be available and Swift is RB #1 on many analysts boards.
Now, let’s look at the next 40:
I’m not in favor of the Chiefs going for a wideout early but it’s strange to see WR Tee Higgins still there at #45. It’s also strange to see CB Jeff Gladney ranked at #62. Stranger yet to see CB Kristian Fulton at #64. If Gladney or Fulton are there at #63, the Chiefs would be getting a very good corner. Now, let’s take a peak at Brandt’s list of prospects from #81 to #120:
Maybe I’ve been at this too long but the more I see the players available, the more impressed I am with this draft. It’s hard to believe that Brandt has LB Akeem Davis-Gaither as low as 120. Of course, we never know how Brett Veach and his band of merry scouts have ranked these same players but I’d have this LB in the top 90 at least.
The Chiefs 4th rounder is at #138 and their last pick is #177 so there’s a good chance their last two picks will be coming from this list. Van Jefferson is a very good WR out of Florida. He fractured his foot in February and wasn’t able to participate in the combine but, he should be a second day choice, not a day three pick like Brandt has these prospects ranked here. LB Willie Gay may end up going in the 2nd round and Cameron Dantzler started out this offseason as a much higher ranked player so you have to wonder what happened there.
So, what do you think of Gil Brandt’s top 150. See any prospects you like or hope the Chiefs end up with?