Passing Game
Some runners first carve their path onto the field in the NFL by contributing on third down. Alex Collins will not be one of those players. While Collins cut blocks very well, he is still imperfect as a pass protector. In addition, his lack of quickness inhibits his ability in open space, which makes him an ineffective receiver out of the backfield.
Receiving
Collins simply lacks the open space ability to be effective after the catch. Arkansas didn’t use him much in this capacity, as he had just 27 receptions in his college career, which is fewer than many draft-eligible backs had in a single season.
Collins doesn’t show the ability to make defenders miss, or anything added running routes on tape. He shouldn’t be used in passing situations in the NFL.
The first play above shows Collins with a little space to work with to the inside, but he fails to burst into it and a defender catches him from behind. On the second play, Collins catches a pass and tries to turn up field, but realizes he can’t make two defenders miss and gives up by trying to split them.
The third play shows Collins trying to run a slant, and he looks totally uncomfortable. First off, he’s anxious for the snap and gives a little flinch before starting. Secondly, he basically runs in a diagonal line, with no break. Finally, he has his head down the entire time. He’s just a decoy on this play, but still shows no technically savvy at all running routes.
The fourth play shows another screen where Collins fails to burst and pick up any significant yardage. The final play does show at least one skill that might translate to the next level, as Collins looks to chip the defender before releasing for a checkdown route, but the ball goes elsewhere.
Pass Blocking
As a blocker, Collins was a mixed bag. On one hand, he was quite effective cut blocking and that puts him ahead of a number of RBs in this class. On the other hand, he was generally ineffective when blocking standing up, sometimes looking confused and often immediately being disengaged from. As a chip blocker, he uses his aggressive running style and mentality to his advantage.
On the first play above, Collins shows off skill in cut blocking. He cuts through the defenders opposite hip, which knocks the defender down and greatly impedes his progress. The second play shows Collins attacking the wrong hip, but at the right height, and he was generally successful as a cut blocker so one mix up isn’t a huge issue.
The third play shows Collins making a successful blitz pickup. One issue Collins has is that he looks to make an initial punch and then lets the defender disengage. That happens here and it doesn’t hurt him, because he mirrors the defender well (something he does often), but it does hurt him in the fourth play, where he gets beaten immediately by the DE.
Collins is aggressive in his chip blocks. He likes to throw his shoulder into the defender. This is of questionable usefulness, as it can force the offensive lineman to disengage and give the defender better position. In the fifth play, it doesn’t hurt, and I like that Collins is following his QB down the field. However, in the sixth play Collins actually falls down because he leans too far into the defender, and that defender is given a cushion against the offensive lineman that allows him to chase the QB towards the sideline.
