Jalen

Collins

Collins’ PED ban ended two weeks ago, but the Falcons aren’t ready to make him part of the game-day 46. It’s an otherwise quiet list for a healthy team.

A 2015 second-rounder, Collins struggled in 306 snaps as a rookie, but is returning as the No. 3 or 4 corner for a Falcons secondary without much depth.

Collins was banned four games for the same violation last year. “We are extremely disappointed that for the second straight season we are dealing with a suspension for Jalen,” GM Thomas Dimitroff said in a statement. “Such are the consequences when certain choices are made.” Collins enjoyed a mini breakout as he earned a starting job down the stretch last season. The Falcons are at least prepared for his absence, returning Desmond Trufant and Robert Alford as starters on the outside, and Brian Poole in the slot.

A rotational corner at LSU, Collins’ elite physical traits pushed him into the early part of Day 2. At 6'2/203, Collins has the press-man skills to be a No. 1 corner in Dan Quinn’s scheme. He should be a Week 1 starter opposite Desmond Trufant.

He’ll miss the Tigers’ March 27 Pro Day. NFL.com’s Gil Brandt did report Collins should be ready for rookie minicamps, which depending on the team take place as early as one week after the draft. The procedure sounds minor, and may not affect Collins’ stock. Collins is Mike Mayock’s No. 2 cornerback prospect in the 2015 draft, behind only Trae Waynes of Michigan State.

These are headline-grabbing revelations, but the teams considering Collins have likely known about the tests for some time. A long corner with 4.48 speed, Collins is the prototype NFL teams look for on the outside, but his production in college did not match up with his physical gifts. He is still a work in progress, but his physical traits make him a good bet to come off the board late on Day 1.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter has already reported that the Steelers are considering trading up, perhaps with Tennessee at No. 33. The Steelers’ second rounder isn’t until No. 56, where players like LSU’s Jalen Collins and Utah’s Eric Rowe could already be gone. The Steelers need help all over their secondary.

The Seahawk coaching tree rears its head. Collins (6'2/203) was a rotational corner in college, making ten career starts and intercepting three passes. Despite not being a full-time player, Collins had the second lowest 2014 “burn rate” (35.6 percent) among draft-eligible corners. Collins ran 4.48 at the Combine with a 36-inch vertical and impressive 6.77 three-cone time. Smart (28 Wonderlic), plus sized and physical, Collins has drawn Xavier Rhodes comparisons for his press-man skills. Like Rhodes did coming out of FSU, however, Collins has a tendency to get sloppy with his technique and may require hard coaching. Collins has No. 1-cornerback upside, but it may not happen right away. He will have time to develop, as the Falcons have a top corner in Desmond Trufant.

Collins is still recovering from March foot surgery. The Falcons expect him to be fully healthy for the start of training camp.

Collins appeared in all 16 games as a rookie, but failed to capitalize when given opportunities to join the starting lineup. PFF charged Collins with a 98.7 passer rating allowed on throws into his coverage. Last year’s 42nd overall draft pick, Collins’ one-month ban is a blow to his early-career development.