Buffalo Bills Draft Prospects: Landon Collins

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The Buffalo Bills might need some depth at safety, but if they can get their hands on a guy that would start right away and take the spot the Da’Norris Searcy has left available, why not go for it.  

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Landon Collins, out of Alabama, might be that plug and play safety that will most likely be going in the first round.  If the Buffalo Bills can somehow trade up into the late 1st round, this guy might be the one they are looking at.

Landon Collins was the top performer in the 40 yard dash, running a 4.53.  He has a draft grade of 6.33 which puts him in the category of being an instant starter and close to a possible Pro Bowl caliber player.

He is coming out of college as a junior, into the draft.  Last year, as a junior, he lead his team in tackles with 103 and interceptions with 3.  Collins also had played in 41 games for Alabama and had started the last 23 of them.  For the most part he played in the safety spot but he did start 3 games as a Dime back.

Some strengths and weaknesses for Landon Collins are…

"Thick safety with a no-nonsense demeanor typical of a Nick Saban-coached player. Decisive against the run. Gets high to low quickly and is all over the ball. Leverages running backs to sideline and keeps contain. A true sheriff against the run. Tracks and stalks ball carriers with patience. Hits the gas and explodes into his tackles with purpose. Feet are under him and balanced when ready to strike. Aggressive and tough with a desire to intimidate. Disciplined eyes — is not easily moved around field by quarterbacks. Wrap-up tackler. Physical enough to match up against tight ends and has the feet to carry big, slot targets. Transitions to throws quickly in zone coverage and limits yards after catch.Average hands. Dropped easy interceptions against Texas A&M and Arkansas. Looked much quicker in 2013 than he did in 2014. Can be beaten in a foot race. Average recovery speed. Sometimes shows too much confidence in recovery speed. Gets caught peeking into backfield and can be beaten over the top after a late jump.– NFL.com"

Collins has a draft comparison to Jonathan Cyprien and is being projected into the first round.  He is also being toted as one of this years draft’s most physical defensive backs.

The bottom line on Collins is…

"Collins is a tempo-setter who can energize a defense with his downhill, aggressive style. He is at his best when he can attack rather than sit back in coverage and process. Collins’ tackling, pursuit angles and speed to the sideline can help a defense shut down rushing attacks, but his inconsistencies in coverage will be tested by NFL offenses.– NFL.com"

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