If you read my LB thread you'd see Collins brought up a few times in Oct/Nov last year. Tier 3 coming into the year. Had him as a top 50-60 last year and was a little off. He's a top 25-30 player. Watching him you knew he'd blow out once you watched him. Evan and all the big shots have come around.
Thought he was a SAM fit but looks like he can play inside. Can rush off the edge. He'll be LB1 on my board if he test well and confirms what you see on film in that area. A lot quicker in terms of processing than Parsons but Parsons movements are pretty special.
@State @TheRazorsEdge and others have asked about him a while ago and where he'd go.
Collins moves well for a big boy at 6'4 /260 but want to see him test. He flows & chases well but doesn't have the best change of direction although it's certainly not the worst. Instinctive, not quite ID'g plays before they happen but he's usually on point there.
Patient, savvy second level/flat defender that can sift through traffic and deal with contact. Gets to his marks quick and shows good patience defending, following the QB eyes. Didn't get baited a lot. Size-length and movements reroute incoming routes.
Smarts and efficiency show up in most areas. Recognizes down & distance plays. Ball coming out quick bc time on clock or the defense is sending pressure. Usually making a + play somewhere.
He can rush the passer from the edge and blitz. Similar to Parsons, you're getting a 2 for 2 in terms of abilities. They can play off the ball and line up as a DE. Not as explosive but ahead of the game upstairs at this time for sure. That's what makes Hightower so valuable. There's just not a lot of guys walking around at 6'5 260 that can do all those things. You
can't ignore that from a Pats pov. Similar to an explosive or athletic DL/OL. Just not a lot of humans that big, that can do those special things. So from a y
ou can't replicate this prospects skills/attributes later in the draft. Those two might be high on our board. Just not a lot of prospects you can turn to in a "value groupings" sort of way.
Collins simply isn't as physical as HT but he's
physical enough.Hands could be heavier. HT is a demon he'll stick his whole body on the line and make you match that intensity (Spikes was the same way. So-so range and coverage but he would absolutely blow up a hole and love doing it) I and others have brought up KJ Wright as a comp. You could throw Wagner in there as well in terms of style, how they might take on a play. Not comparing players think more style and skill set. Not he's
this good.
I would love it if we drafted Collins and had HT to mentor him. I've always said good things happen when HT rushes the passer. Collins could presumably free him up to do a little more of that and play a little closer to the los if Bill wants to. You could rush both off the edge. We're talking typical 34 rushers size for the most part, give or take. Add Wino, Uche, Dugger (I hope he's crashing the party up the middle with his closing speed if hes playing that close) and that's a decent group of guys who can rush and move around. I really don't want Collins as a HT replacement. Similar but different and as outlined above, the versatility and skill set is needed. Let him learn from one of the best and find his role even if that's taking over It's eventually.
Anyway Zaven Collins has been on my board for months now. He fits in too many ways to ignore. Definitely get familiar. I have a feeling a bunch of teams will want him bc of play and fit. NE, GB, Mia, Sea, Pitt, Balt ... Everyone will want him.
