NFL analyst Gil Brandt thinks Johnny Manziel is the top prospect in the 2014 NFL draft. Brandt ranked Manziel No. 1 in his latest top 50 list, believing Manziel's football intelligence and intangibles make him the better prospect than the speed and athleticism of Jadeveon Clowney.
Pro days have come and gone since Brandt's first top 50 prospects lists, but his No. 1 and No. 2 picks have remained the same. Brandt, NFL.com's senior analyst, is convinced Manziel is the best player in the draft.
"[Manziel] is a unique athlete who produced 10,000 yards of offense in two seasons with the Aggies. I had his 40 timed at 4.56 seconds at the combine (4.68 officially)," Brandt wrote on Monday. "He's a very smart player and has great vision at quarterback."
Manziel's pro day impressed nearly everybody, and his high score on the Wonderlic Test somewhat confirmed what many assistant coaches who met with him have said: Manziel is a very intelligent football player.
Although one's Wonderlic score is hardly indicative of potential success in the league, Manziel's reported score of 32 ranks him among quarterbacks such as Tom Brady (33), Aaron Rodgers (35) and Peyton Manning (28).
Clowney, who had an incredible pro day, remained at No. 2 on Brandt's list. Although Brandt points to Clowney's talent, athleticism and speed, they weren't enough for Clowney to supplant Manziel.
The former South Carolina defensive end came under fire again over the weekend when an NJ.com report quoted an NFL personnel exec as the latest to question Clowney's work ethic.
Below are Brandt's top 10 prospects for the upcoming draft. You can read his full top 50 HERE.
1) Johnny Manziel (QB) - Texas A&M
2) Jadeveon Clowney (DE) - South Carolina
3) Khalil Mack (LB) - Buffalo
4) Greg Robinson (OT) - Auburn
5) Jake Matthews (OT) - Texas A&M
6) Sammy Watkins (WR) - Clemson
7) Mike Evans (WR) - Texas A&M
8) Blake Bortles (QB) - UCF
9) Taylor Lewan (OT) - Michigan
10) Anthony Barr (LB) - UCLA
