IR + practice squad = hope?

NFL draft preview: Virginia DT Nate Collins

After four years playing in the 3-4 defense, Nate Collins enters the weekend of the NFL draft as a promising prospect at a different position: defensive tackle in the 4-3 defensive alignment.

When viewed as a prospect in the 4-3 defense, Collins could emerge as a mid- to late-round steal. Collins has received interest from a variety of NFL teams, including the New York Giants, Jacksonville Jaguars and Chicago Bears. Each utilizes a 4-3 defense, in which the the 6-foot-2, 290-pound Collins is ideally suited to play.

“I feel like I was very underrated at the end of season,” Collins said this week. “We didn’t get that good of exposure. But I did really well at the all-star game and with the pass rush competitions. I kind of got a little buzz about me.”

Of all the draft-eligible division I-A defensive tackles, only Ndamukong Suh’s 82 tackles topped Collins’s 78 tackles, and Suh, a sure-fire top five pick, played in two more games. Collins played defensive end in the 3-4 this season, but he had played nose tackle in the past. He was also a key leader and popular player on the Cavaliers’ roster.

“I can certainly see that when you survey the league, those players who play nose tackle, they are amongst the bigger physical specimens in the NFL,” former Virginia Coach Al Groh said. “That certainly won’t be the position you’d like at Nate with. And with the defensive ends, it’s somewhat the same. …I can understand why, for NFL purposes, teams who play a one-gap system and can put him on half the player, which a guy not being a monster size. In the general population, Nate would stand out as a big man. In the NFL world, he’s not an overwhelmingly big man. Sometimes, the one-gap system in the NFL will give a player like Nate a big chance, while in college football, the size disparity wasn’t there so it worked out just fine for him.”

Collins has been questioned about his relative lack of height, although he has used his height for leverage and has been productive in result to a 6-2 frame — not despite of the frame. Collins was named first-team all-ACC last season.

Another advantage in the eyes of the NFL team is that Collins was a four-year senior and thus has another year of development. Groh said that players who have been true seniors in the past from Virginia have been lauded for “greater potential upside” and allows a player to project in the future.

Since the season concluded, Collins cut his body fat and has tried to improve the measurables to fit what NFL teams seek. But he is confident in what is available on film, and described his emotions as “anxious” entering the weekend when he will learn his NFL future.

“With my talent level, when I’m put into an NFL system,” Collins said, “I feel like I can develop.”

Pass rush: Good initial burst to slip through gaps and create havoc before the play has really begun. Uses his hands well to slap away the blocker’s attempts to control him. Active feet. Constantly bouncing from side to side to counter the blocker’s attempts and get his opponent off balance. Good acceleration through the gap once he has one. Has a late burst to close. Good use of upper-body strength, leg drive and his natural leverage for the bull rush, but his best pass-rush technique is a swim move. Lacks the height to consistently disrupt passing lanes. Active defender used on loops and stunts to help create pressure.

Run defense: Relies on his natural leverage advantage to hold up at the point of attack. Good initial pop to disengage quickly and has the quick hands and feet to counter and ultimately break free when initially stopped. Aggressive defender that steps into the hole and attacks the ball-carrier. Good effort in lateral pursuit, though he tires quickly once past the line of scrimmage. Has seen action at nose guard and defensive tackle in Virginia’s 3-4 scheme, but lacks the bulk most teams prefer as a zero-technique in the NFL.

Explosion: Good initial burst, especially laterally, to slide through gaps. Flashes an explosive pop with his hands to slap away the blocker’s attempts at controlling him. Arrives with a thud as a hitter.

Strength: Good use of leverage inside to hold up at the point. Lacks the bulk and strength to hold up consistently against the double-team, but is quick and active enough to split them on occasion. Good strength to slide off blocks and take down the ballcarrier.

Tackling: Despite lack of height, locates the ball quickly and works his way toward the action. Able to slide off blocks and drag ballcarrier to the ground. Stays square when not engaged by a blocker and is generally able to make the one on one tackle in tight quarters. Good drag-down tackler in pursuit. Arrives with a thump and wraps securely to make the stop.

Intangibles: A key reserve bef0re his breakout senior campaign. High effort player who was alternated between end (3-4) and nose guard as a senior. Plays with his emotions on his sleeve. Voted team captain despite 2009 being his first season as a full-time starter.

for the d-line, i am really excited too, to see more experience from the young-ones, and D’Anthony come in to the mix. I’m excited to see what Dilliard can do as well. MSW might leave, scotty mcgee is a solid KReturner, and would love to see what he can dofor us. As for Harvey hes gone. Dude had 3 years=bust.

Height: 6-0.5
Weight: 236
40: 4.69
Year: 5Sr

School: UCLA
Position: OLB
Bio: Started 12 games as a senior posting 77/7.5/1.5. Totaled nine tackles as a junior before a knee injury shelved him after the second game of the year. Totaled 74 tackles in 2007.
Positive: Hard-charging linebacker with marginal measurables. Fires up the field filling gaps defending the run, moves well to the sidelines, and is aggressive. Displays quickness in his overall game, breaks down well, and gets his hands up to protect himself. Works hard to make the tackle. Effectively diagnoses the action.
Negative: Marginal skills in coverage or moving in reverse. Has a history of injury.
Analysis: Bosworth is an aggressive linebacker with the attitude to play special teams at the next level. He possesses limited upside yet his approach to the game will gives him a chance.

Height: 5-9
Weight: 177
40: 4.49
Year: 5Sr

School: Clemson
Position: CB
Bio: Three-year starter posted 37/1/8 as a senior after junior totals of 33 tackles.
Positive: Aggressive yet undersized cornerback who works hard to make plays. Engages opponents off the line, shows a burst of closing speed, and works well with safeties. Fluid turning his hips to transition off the line with opponents. Quick up the field to defend the run or screen plays.
Negative: Very quick to leave his backpedal. Lacks top and speed beaten downfield by opponents. Not a sure-handed tackler.
Analysis: Chancellor’s a small yet feisty cornerback best in zone coverage. He has potential as a dime back at the next level if he plays well on special teams this summer.