Alex Collins: How he fits with the Seahawks
By David Stobbe
The Seattle Seahawks added another running back with the 171st overall pick, in the 5th round in the 2016 NFL Draft, selecting Alex Collins out of Arkansas.
The Seahawks decided to use their compensatory pick on Alex Collins, who was considered by many as the best player available on the board. Getting Collins this late in the draft is considered a steal and Seahawks fans should be happy with this pick. He will come in right away and heat up the competition at running back.
MEASURABLES:
- Height: 5’10”
- Weight: 217
- Arm Length: 30 1/4
- 40 time: 4.59
- Vertical Jump: 28.5
- Bench Press: 18
HOW HE FITS:
Alex Collins will compete for snaps at the running back position in his rookie season. He is a bruiser type of running back, who will break tackles and help in short yardage situations. Thomas Rawls and Christine Michael need to understand that their jobs are not safe on the Seahawks, and Collins will make them earn a spot on the team.
Dane Brugler of CBS Sports NFL Draft Scout had this to say about Alex Collins:
"Although he won’t consistently create on his own, Collins has an excellent blend of quickness, patience and power to get what is blocked for him and contribute as an NFL rookie."
Lance Zierlein had some positive words to say about Collins on his nfl.com draft profile:
"Collins is a repetitive runner lacking dynamic talent, but he’s run in gap, power and zone schemes and should be a scheme fit for most teams looking at running back. Collins should be able to step right in and challenge for carries and red zone work immediately."
Collins was projected as a 3rd or 4th round selection in his nfl.com draft profile, so getting him in the 5th round is great value by John Schneider and Pete Carroll.
Here are some of the twitter responses regarding the selection of Alex Collins.
Alex Collins avoided being tackled on 1st contact on 34.7% of his carries, the 6th-best rate in the class
— PFF College (@PFF_College) April 30, 2016
This reminds me of that time when the Seahawks drafted Christine Michael and Spencer Ware when they still had Marshawn Lynch in his prime
— Field Gulls (@FieldGulls) April 30, 2016
Most common fan reaction late in drafts "but we don't need another guy at that position!" BPA. Value. Competition. Collins is a STUD!
— Dan Viens 🎙 (Seahawks Forever Podcast) (@SeahawksForever) April 30, 2016
Next: Quinton Jefferson: How he fits
Overall, this seems like a good selection for the Seahawks in the 5th round of the NFL draft. He is a player that will come in and compete for a job and could very well be a starter in the near future. Best player available is what the Seahawks decided to do with this pick and making a selection like this one, will help keep the Seahawks the most talented team in the NFL.