Below is the PFF draft profile for Nebraska's Maliek Collins, which incorporates PFF’s college grades and scouting intel from our team of analysts. To see all of PFF’s 2016 scouting reports, click here.
Position fit: 3-technique, lined up over the guard.
Stats to know: Ranked 11th overall in the draft class at +45.0, including 10th against the run at +28.4 and 11th as a pass rusher at +21.1
What he does best:
• Aggressive hands. Uses them well when given “two-way go” as a pass rusher
• Plays low, has good burst off the line of scrimmage. Penetrates and disrupts in the backfield
• Gets through the gap low on stunts, creates pressure
• Can get under blockers to push the pocket with the bull rush, though he’s better working in/out
• Not great at two-gapping, but showed some ability to jack up blockers and make plays when aligned head up
Biggest concern:
• Rarely sheds blocks once an offensive lineman is locked on
• Will get taken for a ride by double teams at times
• More of a disruptor than a playmaker. Needs to finish plays better in both run and pass game
• Per above, despite strong run grade, posted a low run stop percentage of 4.8 percent
• Along same lines, needs to find the ball better in the run game
• Six penalties tied for third among interior defensive linemen in the draft class
Bottom line: Collins may go overlooked in this deep defensive line class, but he brings valuable skills to the table. He has the pad level and penetration skills teams are looking for in their 3-technique prospects, and he complements that with good hand use. While he may get pushed around a bit in the running game, his overall game took a big step forward in 2015 and he has a chance to become a disruptive presence at the next level.
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