Evaluating Landon Collins’ 2015 NFL Draft Stock After Week 12
By Chipper Bounds
@iCAB_Sports
Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports
Entering the 2014 NCAA football season, Alabama Crimson Tide junior safety Landon Collins was viewed as one of the top safety prospects in the nation and an early round selection in the 2015 NFL Draft. So far this season, Collins’ play has all but cemented his status as the top safety prospect in all of college football and should follow former Alabama safeties Ha-Ha Clinton-Dix, Mark Barron, Robert Lester and Vinnie Sunseri to the NFL.
Collins is not without his flaws though, and one of his biggest weaknesses is his ability to follow receivers and tight ends in man-to-man coverage. This was most evident last season in the Sugar Bowl when Collins was beaten twice for a touchdown when playing in man coverage; Collins tried to rely on his speed and athleticism rather than technique when playing man and it cost him.
One of the most versatile safeties in college, Collins excels on special teams and has great instincts. Collins looks to be at his most comfortable when he is able to roam the field in zone coverage as he has a knack for finding the football when it’s in the air; as evidenced by his three interceptions this season, most of any Crimson Tide defender this season.
In Saturday’s game against Mississippi State, Collins was all over the field, finishing the game with seven total tackles and a key interception off of quarterback Dak Prescott in the fourth quarter.
Collins is a surefire first-round talent and his solid game on Saturday did nothing but confirm his status as the top safety prospect in college football.
NFL Draft Stock: Steady
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