2021 NFL Draft: 49ers make aggressive move for QB in 3-round mock draft
2021 NFL Draft: Round 1, 18th overall
Zaven Collins. 18. player. Pick Analysis. Tulsa. LB. 59. Scouting Report
Placing Zaven Collins to the Miami Dolphins with the 18th overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft is too great of a fit to ignore. Both off-ball linebacker and edge rusher stand out as obvious positions of need for this team and Collins has the ability to make an impact at both positions. Dolphins head coach Brian Flores loves to have versatility in the defensive front seven and Collins certainly brings plenty of versatility to the mix.
Collins is a 6-foot-4, 260-pound linebacker prospect who can step up in the hole and fill against the run. He sheds blocks with ease and can win with power as a rusher on the outside.
Despite his larger statue, do not sleep on Collins’ ability to move in space. He is an extremely rangy linebacker who roams from sideline-to-sideline, making plays all over the field. He does a great job of getting out in space and taking care of the outside run. He is also an impressive weapon in coverage who can defend nearly any tight end or running back in man coverage.
Simply put, Collins has a ton of upside as a versatile chess piece in the front seven at the next level. He would likely primarily be an off-ball linebacker for Miami but Flores would undoubtedly use Collins as a defensive weapon who can attack the quarterback from the edge as well.
When it comes down to it, Collins stands out as an ideal weapon for the Dolphins on the defensive side of the ball. They improved their offensive attack earlier in this mock draft and here, they make an obvious upgrade to their defense.