Minnesota Vikings: Chances of Drafting Landon Collins

Within the next 26 days, the Minnesota Vikings will have to decide which player can give them the best advantage to being a successful team for the next upcoming years. With a 7-9 record under their belt in 2014, the team is just about a few players short of turning that record into 11-5.

Teams always hope that their first round pick works out for them, but why not draft twice in the first round? Considering that the Vikings have done that in the past three of four years, it wouldn’t be out of the ordinary for them to do it again for the 2015 draft.

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The Vikings would love to fill the one blank, missing space in the secondary; going into the draft there’s more than a great chance that they are going to do so. Seeing that they have filled most needs in the off-season through the NFL free agency, the Vikings can afford to go all in on defense for the first round, maybe two.

The secondary for the Vikings was much better in 2014 than in 2013, when opponents averaged 397.6 yard per game, and allowing 480 points for the whole season, four points shy of tying the single season record for most points allowed in one season. Needless to say, it wasn’t the greatest year for the defense in general.

With Harrison Smith surely making his case for being a top safety in the league, adding another safety that can be aggressive and stop the run would be ideal. However, instead, an idea that would work great would be to draft Michigan State cornerback Trae Waynes. Him on the other side of the up and coming Xavier Rhodes would do wonders.

Now, if the Vikings select Trae Waynes with the No. 11 pick in the draft, (Granted if he’s available, of course) there’s no questioning that the team would try to do what they have been the past few years. It’s worked out for the most part in the previous three years; selecting linebacker Anthony Barr & quarterback Teddy Bridgewater in 2014, Sharrif Floyd & Cordarrelle Patterson in 2013, and Matt Kalil & Harrison Smith in 2012.

A great addition to the secondary would be safety Landon Collins, out of Alabama. He’s not that tall, being 6’0″, but he weighs 228 pounds and is by far one of the most physical defensive backs in this draft. An absolute great run stopper, burying whatever comes his way into the ground. Having linebacker size and tackling as vicious as a linebacker, he’s a top safety in this draft.

At Alabama, Collins did what any typical defensive player would do at Alabama. Win, win, and win some more. Being coached by Nick Saban gave him the fierce and tough demeanor that he plays with. In his three years at Bama, he totaled for 190 tackles, 120 being solo tackles. Collins would probably be a strong safety in the NFL, considering he gets beat a lot covering receivers, but that’s why the athleticism of Smith can compliment Collins.

Collins had some trouble with his pass coverage in his career at Alabama, allowing Jaylen Walton of Ole Miss to run right by him for the go ahead touchdown in the 2014 NCAA season. Although it wasn’t just one game where he got beaten, it happened a majority of the season. Collins has been burned several times in his college career, his pass coverage is a work in progress.

Also, Collins doesn’t have spectacular hands. He’s very inconsistent with catching the ball. Against Arkansas and Texas A&M he dropped a few easy interceptions which won’t make coaches too happy in the NFL. At times, Collins looks as if he’s not moving in the back field when it comes to pass coverage. He plays much better running at players than trying to run down the field with them, making his statement for playing strong safety in the future.

There’s question to whether he can keep up with the receivers and tight ends in the NFL so it could possibly affect his draft stock. Constantly getting burned down-field and showing little signs of recovery is huge red flag. If the Vikings want to make a move for Collins, they have to be able to trust the rest of the defense in pass coverage situations.

Nov 22, 2014; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Landon Collins (26) carries the ball again the Western Carolina Catamounts at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports

Smith and Collins would work well together, sort of how Earl Thomas and Kam Chancellor complement each-other perfectly. Smith, who had five interceptions and 71 tackles last year, would probably appreciate a teammate like Collins. The two safeties could be a threat to every team in the league, especially the NFC North.

Collins sets the tone from the first snap of the game. He’s a guy who loves to win and who you want leading your team on defense. As long as he can play his game, which is run coverage rather than drop back coverage, Collins has a good chance of being a great pick in this draft, hopefully landing in Minnesota.

If general manager Rick Spielman decides to go all out on the secondary, it would be smart to move up for two first rounders. The addition of adding Collins after Waynes would add much versatility to the defense, having overall great pass and run defenders.

The thought of him wearing purple and gold alongside Smith, Rhodes, Barr, and possibly Waynes would automatically bring fear to the quarterback eye.

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