Landon Collins: 2015 NFL Draft Scouting Report

Alabama strong safety Landon Collins is regarded as the best safety in this year’s upcoming draft. Collins is projected as a first round pick and with numerous teams in need of a safety he should hear his name called sooner rather than later.

Here is a quick breakdown of Landon Collins’s strengths and weaknesses.

Strengths

Collins is a physical hard nosed safety who is not afraid of any type of contact. Collins is a run stopping defender who is not scared to come up and initiate contact with the ball carrier. He is well built at 6’0 222 lbs and uses his frame to punish the opposing players. He is a physical tackler who makes plays with authority. You can’t use the word physical enough when it comes to Landon Collins. He excels when he enters the box and is able to get closer to the line of scrimmage. Collins totaled 14 tackles for loss this past year at Alabama.

Collins should be able to step in and start from day 1. A team like the Chicago Bears could really benefit from his type of play. Collins was also a gunner on Alabama’s special teams and can contribute at the same position in the NFL. Collins is the type of player that can spark a whole defense off one big hit whether its on special teams or at the safety position. Watching film on Landon Collins will leave you on the edge of your seat waiting for him to make another big play when he’s on field.

Here’s another video of great open field tackling by Collins

Weaknesses

Landon Collins would be an elite safety prospect if he did not have so much trouble in pass coverage. He can get burned on man coverage pretty often and is not as versatile as you would think when covering the deep part of the field. He is intelligent enough and athletic enough to improve on his pass coverage abilities. Collins was picked on in game against Auburn, Ole Miss and Mississippi State.

Here you can see Collins looks lost in pass coverage. He will need to improve that dramatically at the next level.

Draft Stock

Collins should be a slam dunk first round pick. A team with a need at safety should feel comfortable in drafting him. His pass coverage abilities can be improved but his physical nature and willingness to destroy the opponent can’t be taught. Any team should draft him with confidence.