NFL mock draft 2021: Four quarterbacks in the top five, Watson stays put
53. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. Tulsa. Linebacker. Zaven Collins. 26. player
What a shocker for Cleveland Browns fans. After seemingly always possessing a top 10 pick since their return to Cleveland, Browns fans may fall asleep by the time their team picks in the 2021 NFL Draft.
Here at pick 26 in this 2021 NFL mock draft, the Browns could go in a variety of directions. But those directions should all be on the defensive side of the ball. The Browns rode their impressive offense to their first playoff victory in my lifetime but will need a vastly improved defensive unit if they want to sustain that success.
Whether it is a defensive end, cornerback or linebacker, this first-round pick needs to be used on the defensive side of the ball. A player like Zaven Collins makes a ton of sense for a team like Cleveland.
In 2020, the Browns severely lacked impactful linebacker play. Something that proved to be instrumental for the Super Bowl-winning Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Veterans B.J. Goodson and Malcolm Smith played fairly well and young guys like Mack Wilson, Sione Takitaki and Jacob Phillips showed some flashes, but they did not have the production needed from the linebacking group that they needed.
Collins is a huge force, both literally and figuratively. Zaven Collins is 6-foot-4 and 260 lbs and was named the Bronko Nagurski and Chuck Bednarik Award winner as the best defensive player and linebacker in college football in 2020.
A truly versatile piece, Collins does a little bit of everything. He has great instincts and takes on blocks in the run game, has great instincts and ball skills in coverage and has great pass rush moves when coming off the edge.
There really isn’t anything that Collins can’t do. He could come in and make plays in a variety of ways. In 2020, Collins racked up four sacks, four intereptions, two touchdowns and 54 total tackles in just eight games.
Collins can come in and play any linebacker position, and could even help fill that void at edge rusher across from Myles Garrett. The Cleveland Browns really need a playmaker in the middle of their defense and Collins is the perfect fit in this 2021 NFL mock draft.