Player Comparison

Alex Collins fits BenJarvus Green-Ellis’ profile quite well. The Law Firm was never a dynamic athlete, but was a strong power runner in between the tackles. Like Green-Ellis, Collins will have to use good vision, nimble feet, and good pad level to achieve consistent success in a contributor’s role at the NFL level.

Draft Position

The NFL may be moving away from the run game, but that doesn’t mean Collins doesn’t have a spot in the NFL. As teams run less, they also delegate running to more specific roles, and Collins fits the role of a short yardage grinder quite well. He has the nimble ability, power, and vision to pick up yards in all schemes.

Collins won’t break long runs unless he ends up bursting through the line on well-blocked short yardage runs. He doesn’t block particularly well and adds nothing catching the ball. However, he will be able to provide a team with consistent production between the tackles. That has value, and I think for Collins it lies on early day three, in the fourth or fifth round.

Bottom Line

Collins has minimal short area quickness, and will sometimes make defenders miss, but won’t do so regularly. He has good burst, but won’t often be leaving a trail of defenders in his wake. He’s a decent pass blocker, but his lack of receiving ability means he won’t be seeing the field on third down. He doesn’t have the top end speed to break long runs.

However, Collins does two things very well. He uses good vision and quick footorrk to navigate through small spaces on the line of scrimmage, and weave between defenders in crowded areas. Additionally, he always shows strong pad level and good drive to pick up yardage with defenders draped on him.

As a power back, Collins can carve out a niche and be successful in the NFL. It’s doubtful he will ever become a feature player, but NFL teams need gritty role players to succeed, and Collins has that grit.