Despite being projected as a late first round pick, hard-hitting Alabama safety Landon Collins went unselected on Day 1 of the 2015 NFL Draft. Not surprisingly, Collins tweeted out his feelings on the matter.
Want to congratulate all the guys that got drafted last night & also thank the NFL for bringing me out showing me a great time in the Chi.
— LANDON COLLINS (@TheHumble_21) May 1, 2015
Definitely disappointed I didn't hear my name called last night but just means I have to get back in the lab & continue to master my craft.
— LANDON COLLINS (@TheHumble_21) May 1, 2015
One thing I know draft day won't define me but will motivate me to prove the doubters wrong & confirm what I already know. #BamaStrong
— LANDON COLLINS (@TheHumble_21) May 1, 2015
It’s definitely a major shock that Collins was not drafted yesterday, as there were plenty of teams like the Philadelphia Eagles and Houston Texans that needed help in the secondary. Still, when their turns came, they opted to go with someone else in this year’s deep draft class.
Granted, Collins does have flaws as a safety. His hands are not incredibly strong, and he isn’t going to be much of a factor in terms of intercepting passes. In the NFL, defensive backs need to at least be minorly competent in that department.
But that doesn’t take away from the fact that Collins is like a Mack truck when tackling opposing players. He registered 103 tackles last year and even intercepted three passes. Throw in decent size for the position at 6-foot-0, 222 pounds, and it’s even more puzzling as to why teams passed on him.
Yes, being raw in the interception game is a big weakness, but it shouldn’t prevent an excellent tackler like Collins from being picked in Round 1.
Either way, Collins will surely be one of the first people called tonight. If not, there’s something about him that we don’t know and is thus keeping him off of team’s radars.
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*Featured Photo (above) credit to Brad Penner/USA TODAY Sports