LSU cornerback Jalen Collins looks the part of an NFL cornerback. He has the mass, height and speed that teams all look for at the pro level. When you add in his ability to change directions on the fly and keep his feet moving in coverage, you’ve got a player with a lot of potential to succeed. Long arms add to his already impressive size and can really impact how a quarterback will try to throw a player open against him.
His major flaw is that he’s extremely raw. He relies on his physical ability a majority of the time and needs to work on the fundamentals of the position. He only had 10 career starts at corner for LSU and has his motor and aggressiveness questioned at times.
Jalen Collins is one of those guys that may need some time to transition from a raw player to an NFL caliber player, so the team that drafts him shouldn’t expect him to step in as a starter immediately. He’ll need some great coaching and leadership around him at the NFL level and will need a team that will be patient with him. However, he could become something special at the NFL if given the right opportunities.
Aug 30, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; LSU Tigers cornerback Jalen Collins (32) defends during the first quarter against the Wisconsin Badgers at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Combine Measurables:
- Height: 6’1″
- Weight: 203 pounds
- Arm Length: 32 1/8″
- Hand Size: 9 3/8″
- 40 Yard Dash: 4.48 seconds
- Bench Press: N/A
- Vertical Jump: 36.0″
- Broad Jump: 124″
- 3 Cone Drill: 6.77 seconds
- 20 Yard Shuttle: 4.27 seconds
- 60 Yard Shuttle: 11.32 seconds
Draft Projection
Jalen Collins is the #54 overall prospect in the 2015 NFL Draft according to CBS Sports and is their #6 available cornerback. He is projected to be a second round selection.
NFL Player Comparison
- NFL.com: Terence Newman, Minnesota Vikings
- CBSSports.com: Johnthan Banks, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Fit For The Vikings
Minnesota will be looking for a starting caliber cornerback in the 2015 NFL Draft. They could also look to add depth and competition at the position.
My Take
I would actually be a fan of Minnesota using their second round selection on Jalen Collins. I firmly believe that Terence Newman would be a great mentor for him this year and his skillset would compliment that of Xavier Rhodes pretty nicely. However, a solid combine could push him up into the end of the first round or top of the second and the Vikings might not get another shot at him.
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