Draft Information by: Years, Teams, Positions

Alex Collins (Arkansas) - 2016 NFL Draft Pick #171 by SEA

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Pre-Draft Analysis for Alex Collins (2016 NFL Draft)

College: University of Arkansas

Position: Running Back

Overview

Alex Collins was a standout running back at the University of Arkansas, known for his tough running style, vision, and ability to break tackles. He entered the 2016 NFL Draft after a productive college career, where he established himself as one of the top running backs in the SEC.

Strengths

• Powerful Runner: Collins possesses a strong lower body, allowing him to push through tacklers and gain extra yards after contact.
• Vision: He has excellent field vision, able to identify and exploit running lanes effectively.
• Balance: Collins demonstrates great balance, which helps him stay on his feet through contact.
• Durability: Throughout his college career, he proved to be a durable back, consistently receiving a heavy workload.
• Pass Protection: Collins is willing to block in pass protection, showcasing his understanding of the game and team-oriented mentality.

Weaknesses

• Top-End Speed: While Collins is effective in short-area bursts, he lacks elite speed to break away from defenders in the open field.
• Receiving Skills: Although he showed improvement, his receiving skills were not as polished compared to other running backs in the draft class.
• Injury History: Scouts expressed concerns about his injury history, which could impact his long-term durability in the NFL.

Overall Assessment

Alex Collins was projected to be a mid-round pick in the 2016 NFL Draft. His combination of power running, vision, and ability to gain yards after contact made him an attractive option for teams looking for a reliable running back. While he may not have had the breakaway speed seen in some of his peers, his toughness and ability to contribute in multiple facets of the game provided significant value.