STRENGTHS
Brandon is a playmaker. He has good athletic talent to be used up near the line of scrimmage or as a deep safety. He plays up on the line like a linebacker, strong against the run, shedding blocks or blitzing to sack quarterbacks. He can line up in the slot and cover just about any size receiver and he is a good tackler who finishes until he hears the whistle. Brando has the hands to intercept the ball and to play on special teams as a returner or on the cover units. Brandon is decisive and makes plays because he is always around the ball. Brandon will make plays and will be a leader for your defense because of high football IQ and instinctive play on the field.
CONCERNS
Like I always say, you can nitpick just about any player in a draft but I prefer not to. I guess some teams will look at Brandon’s lack of size but I just look at how he plays on film. To me, not being over 6 feet is not a requirement to play in the NFL. Others think differently.
BOTTOM LINE 1.83
Brandon measured at the combine at 5’ 11” 198 lbs. On film, I watched him in coverage against the LSU receivers in the slot and he was stride for stride with them so I know despite the fact he didn’t work out that he has the speed and quickness to cover most receivers. I watched him up on the line playing like linebacker shedding blocks, making tackles, causing fumbles and sacking the quarterback, so I know he has an excellent burst to the play and is strong enough to play linebacker at the college level. I watched him tackle a receiver and cause a fumble and I have watched him return a punt for big yardage so you tell me, what more, could you ask for from a safety? I guess the answer is two more inches. All I can tell you is, look at Rob’s value board to find out what round this 1st round talent, is likely to be selected in and get ready for some fireworks. Brandon has the talent to make plays and create turnovers and I have to think that if he was two inches taller, his playmaking ability would not increase at all. I just don’t think that causing fumbles, making interceptions, shredding blocks, making open-field tackles, returning punts has anything to do with a player’s height. But I do think all those skills have a direct correlation with the size of a player’s heart, competitiveness, football IQ and instincts along with solid athletic talent. But Height…not so much.
