It seemed like an unfair question. Someone asked NFL.com analyst Gil Brandt during a live chat Monday afternoon what player at the NFL Scouting Combine might be the biggest steal of the later rounds in April’s draft.

Rather than sidestep the question, however, Brandt had a ready response: Ricardo Lockette, WR, Fort Valley State

“He opened a lot of eyes here,” Brandt said of Lockette, who ran a 4.37-second 40-yard dash — tied for the second-fastest at this year’s combine.

Brandt noted that Lockette’s 10-yard split also was very impressive, perhaps enough to overcome some inconsistency in catching the ball.

“Problem is that he’ll make a great catch and then drop one,” Brandt said. “But you can’t coach speed and explosion.”

Brandt went so far as to compare Lockette to another receiver who wasn’t highly regarded before opening some eyes at the combine: Austin Collie. now of the Colts. Collie, a fourth-round pick, might be considered a steal given what he has done in two NFL seasons.

For the entire chat, which also included Brandt’s take on Cam Newton, Julio Jones and other key combine topics, click here.

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