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Jalen Collins, CB, LSU
HEIGHT: 6'1"
ARM LENGTH: 32 1/8"
WEIGHT: 203 lbs.
HANDS: 9 3/8"
40-YARD DASH:: 4.48
VERTICAL LEAP: 36.0"
BROAD JUMP: 124.0"
3-CONE DRILL: 6.77 SEC
20-YARD SHUTTLE: 4.27"
60-YARD SHUTTLE: 1.32"
The SEC annually produces at least one high-level corner in the NFL Draft, and this year's product will likely be LSU's Jalen Collins. The 6'1", 203-pound Collins routinely was tasked with covering No. 1 receivers in the SEC, and he often succeeded in limiting their production using his blend of height, weight and speed (4.48 40-yard dash). His versatility allowed him to cover a varied slate of wideouts.
However, Collins is still a very raw prospect with just 10 career starts under his belt, and he needs a lot of work before he's fundamentally sound enough to hold up in the NFL. Too often he has lapses in coverage and gives his man a free release and good positioning right off the line of scrimmage.
Collins has been able to overcome a lot of his mistakes with his athleticism and speed, but that won't work in the NFL. He's got as much potential as any corner in this draft, but he also has a lot of work to do to reach it compared to more polished corners like Wake Forest's Kevin Johnson, who should be the No. 1 corner drafted.
NFL.com's Bucky Brooks compared Collins to Jets Pro-Bowler Antonio Cromartie, another long and athletic corner with the speed to keep up with most NFL receivers.
However, Collins underwent foot surgery recently, which may keep him from being a first-round pick. That, and multiple failed drug tests at LSU could have this talented corner slide into Day 2 of the draft.
Here's an excerpt of Collins' ESPN scouting report:
| Instincts/Recognition | 2 | Above-average eyes and recognition skills. Shows quality field awareness but will occasionally be a split-second late recognizing route concepts. Good route recognition, patience and feel for leverage when locked in press trail technique. Disciplined and rarely takes the bait off of play-action or double moves. Quick to diagnose and react against the run. |
| Cover Skills | 1 | Prototypical press cornerback. Displays above-average balance and fluidity with his movement skills. Easy turn-and-run to carry receivers downfield in press-technique. However, does not always use hands effectively at the line of scrimmage to disrupt receivers' release. Doesn't have elite quickness transitioning out of breaks, but has an above-average closing burst. Length and long speed provide him with outstanding overall range. |
| Ball Skills | 3 | Adequate playmaking instincts and anticipation, but not a finisher at this point. 25 career pass breakups compared to just three interceptions. Will occasionally be a split-second late getting head around to locate the ball. Average hand-eye coordination and will leave some interceptions on the field he should make (see: Ole Miss, 2014). Has a strong combination of length, strength and adequate leaping skills (36-inch vertical jump) to hold up in contested situations against bigger receivers. |
| Run Support | 2 | A hard edge-setter defending the run. Willing to get physical when hand is forced. Does a nice job of using length to control and disengage from blockers. Takes quality angles in pursuit. Tackles with proper leverage and uses length well wrapping up and securing tackles. Breaks down well in the open field. |
1 = EXCEPTIONAL 2 = ABOVE AVERAGE 3 = AVERAGE 4 = BELOW AVERAGE 5 = MARGINAL
Here's a nice scouting video on Collins by Battle Red Blog's Brett Kollmann, which highlights Collins' matchup with the No. 1 WR prospect this year -- Amari Cooper: