Seattle Seahawks: L.J. Collier searching for redemption in 2020

After a down rookie year with the Seattle Seahawks, L.J. Collier is ready to prove himself.

In an interview with the media this past week, per ESPN.com, L.J. Collier addressed his disappointing rookie season with the Seattle Seahawks. The Seahawks selected Collier with the 29th overall pick in last year’s NFL Draft.

As he prepares for his second season in the league, Collier hopes to erase memories of his poor start and prove he can contribute at a high level.

In the ESPN.com interview, Collier noted that he’s not trying to live up to being “first-round pick” but rather trying to be a good football player:

"“I’m excited to get back out there and show people who I am. I don’t really care about the first-round-pick stuff. I’m a football player at the end of the day and I can play football at a high level just like everybody else can, and I’m out there to prove that, that I’m one of the best and I can do what I need to do,” Collier said. “I can rush the passer; I can stop the run. I’m out there to prove that, that I’m one hell of a football player and I’m going to show that this year.”"

A draft gamble by the Seattle Seahawks

Collier entered the NFL Draft as a borderline first-round pick. During his three seasons as a contributor at TCU, the defensive end amassed 81 tackles, 20.5 tackles for loss, and 14.5 sacks. Collier heard his name called three spots after the Washington Redskins selected Montez Sweat, a player who tallied 101 tackles, 30 tackles for loss and 22.5 sacks in two seasons at Mississippi State.

Compared to Sweat, who started all 16 games as a rookie, Collier earned very little playing time in Seattle. He appeared in 11 games, playing roughly 14 percent of the team’s total defensive snaps. Collier finished his rookie season with only three tackles and no sacks.

Collier did miss the preseason and Seattle’s season opener with a sprained ankle, which could account for him never looking quite right during the 2019 season. Collier even admitted to reporters that, while he felt healthy enough to suit up, he never felt fully recovered.

"“I came in against the Steelers and hadn’t practiced anything in a very long time, no pad work. So I was a step behind everybody, and when I did catch a stride, there was times where I didn’t play and things like that,” said Collier. “So it was very difficult, but I learned a lot last year about myself and about the league and I had great guys around me, great coaches. I learned a lot from them and what I can bring to the game this year.”"

Despite his lackluster rookie campaign, Collier could see a substantial increase in snaps this coming season. For the most part, Seattle’s depth chart at defensive ends remains up in the air. Bruce Irvin, who the Seahawks signed in free agency, should assume the starting LEO role. However, the 5-technique defensive end role, which starts opposite of the LEO, remains open.

Collier’s biggest challenger for snaps at the 5-technique is third-year defensive end Rasheem Green. Green led the Seahawks with four sacks last year, improving from a forgettable rookie season of his own. Despite facing an uphill battle against a more experienced player, Collier remains positive about the future.

“I’m focused on being great. Last year is last year. I’m getting my body right,” Collier told reporters. “I’m getting my mind right. I’m doing everything I need to do to be great this year and go out there and have a great season, and I plan on doing that.”