With the Cincinnati Bengals releasing Mike Pollak on Friday, it questions the team's plans during free agency and the NFL draft. Starter Clint Boling is scheduled to be a free agent this March. Andrew Whitworth, Kevin Zeitler and Andre Smith will become unrestricted free agents next year. It goes without saying that the team needs to focus on their offensive line, if for no other reason than insurance.
LSU offensive tackle La'el Collins is one of the top offensive lineman in this year's NFL draft with the versatility of playing offensive guard and tackle. Collins displayed athleticism during the combine, and former NFL player Matt Bowen tabbed Collins as a player whose stock is on the rise following the combine:
LSU's La'el Collins displayed fluid movement skills throughout drills on Friday, and that backs up what I saw from him at the Senior Bowl. Given his size and frame (6'4", 305 lbs), Collins stood out during the workout because of his lateral movement and quickness out of his stance. And he also has the power at the point of attack to move defenders off the ball.
Collins produced a 1.86 10-yard split in the 40 and displayed the type of athletic ability in positional drills that does transition to his game tape. He solidified his stock as a first-round prospect with his workout Friday and could be a top-20 pick this April in the draft.
Collins recognizes the importance of playing multiple positions.
"It's a big advantage," Collins said late last week. "It's about understanding the personnel you are blocking. When you're inside you are going against bigger guys. They are stronger, not faster, but on an island you are going against fast guys who are long with speed. You have to be able to understand where you're at on the field and understand the personnel you're going against."
Bengals offensive line coach Paul Alexander spoke about some of the things that he expects out of his lineman.
"He has to have the right size, arm length, strength, quickness, the athleticism, flexibility, intelligence and competitiveness," Alexander said. "In my mind, the guy has to at least be adequate in every area. If he fails in one, it’s like the big-league baseball player who can’t hit the curve ball. You can’t make it. If he hasn't got the flexibility or if he’s too slow, it doesn't matter how good he is in the other traits. They're called Achilles’ heel traits."
That wasn't the only praised Collins received. He was No. 1 on the list of Day 1's top performers, according to the NFL.com broadcast crew.
ESPN.com called Collins "one of the stars" of Friday's workouts.
Seattle Seahawks.com featured an article about Collins' confidence at the Combine.
Stampede Blue did a nice writeup of Collins and how he might fit the Colts at pick No. 29; it's hard to see him falling that far in the first round.