2013 NFL Draft - Saints Big Board

[papz]

The New Orleans Saints sent four scouts to watch Southern Miss LB Jamie Collins at the school's pro day.

The team is moving to a 3-4 defense this off-season under newly hired defensive coordinator Rob Ryan and will be looking to add edge-rushers. The National Football Post's Russ Lande recently stated that teams are fine with Collins as a 3-4 defender but are struggling to figure out where he plays in a 4-3 defense. The Saints wouldn't appear to have this issue if they draft him.

Source: Daily Leader

[jeanpierre]

Originally Posted by papz

The New Orleans Saints sent four scouts to watch Southern Miss LB Jamie Collins at the school's pro day.

The team is moving to a 3-4 defense this off-season under newly hired defensive coordinator Rob Ryan and will be looking to add edge-rushers. The National Football Post's Russ Lande recently stated that teams are fine with Collins as a 3-4 defender but are struggling to figure out where he plays in a 4-3 defense. The Saints wouldn't appear to have this issue if they draft him.

Source: Daily Leader

Saw mock draft this morning that has him going 17 to Pittsburgh; he'd be a reach pick, but his size/speed combo has some teams - intrigued...

[Danno]

Originally Posted by jeanpierre

Saw mock draft this morning that has him going 17 to Pittsburgh; he'd be a reach pick, but his size/speed combo has some teams - intrigued...

I read a great thread on this kid. He looks like a great fit for what we do. He's projected late 2nd, early 3rd

Maybe we could swing a trade down and still pick him?

Here's a write-up on him (sorry, I didn't look thru 78 pages to see if its been posted yet...

Analysis
STRENGTHS: Muscular, athletic-looking frame with powerful hands and long arms. Accelerates well in a straight line, and exhibits good flexibility, both coming off the edge as a rusher, as well as when changing direction in space. Displays a knack for getting to the quarterback off the edge, with impressive natural power on contact, and ability to disengage when he uses his hands effectively. Flashes a strong, sudden closing burst in space. Appears natural and comfortable in his lower half when asked to drop into zone coverage. When he gets his arms extended at the point of attack, can really manhandle his blocker. Doesn't possess a ton of short-area burst when breaking down to make tackles in space, but uses length nicely to compensate.

WEAKNESSES: Motor appears to waffle at times. Explosiveness and fluidity appear to be there for brief moments, but other times he looks heavy-footed and sloppy in space. First step isn't elite. Is much more athletic than instinctive at this point. Isn't a high-intensity, fly-to-the-football defender, despite possessing some dynamic physical tools that indicate he's capable of covering more ground. Tends to tackle with his shoulder too frequently rather than wrapping up, and will take on blockers with his chest or shoulders far too often. Will reduce speed and exhibits loose legs when flipping his hips from a backpedal in man-coverage. Awareness in zone coverage waivers, as he tends to freeze in space and lose track of what's going on behind him.


COMPARES TO: K.J. Wright, OLB, Seattle Seahawks - Like Wright, Collins possesses a unique combination of speed, fluidity and flexibility for his size. However, when Wright came out of Mississippi State, he displayed better all-around instincts and motor than what we've seen out of Collins, who is probably the more gifted athlete. Right now, Collins looks like a developmental project with starting-caliber potential if the fundamentals and instincts can improve.

Good prospect, typical pros and cons

[FinSaint]

Originally Posted by Danno

Good prospect, typical pros and cons

Still, they need an impact player with the 1st rounder, and Collins more than likely isn't available to the Saints later on in the draft.

[jeanpierre]

Originally Posted by Danno

I read a great thread on this kid. He looks like a great fit for what we do. He's projected late 2nd, early 3rd

Maybe we could swing a trade down and still pick him?

Here's a write-up on him (sorry, I didn't look thru 78 pages to see if its been posted yet...



Good prospect, typical pros and cons

He sounds like an ideal SAM Backer in a 3-4...