La’el Collins’ NFL Draft Breakdown

By
John Owning

on
December 12, 2014

The quarterback is the most important player on any team. He is the player whose performance on the field has the biggest bearing on the result of a game; therefore, the players assigned to protect the quarterback are vital as well.

This is why there is such a high premium placed on left tackles as they protect a right-handed quarterback’s blindside and generally face the best pass-rushers in the NFL, even though it is becoming more common for teams to place their best rusher on the right to create a mismatch.

However, It is exceedingly difficult to find quality offensive linemen, especially left tackles. One reason is “the planet theory” or that there are only so many people on the planet that are big enough and skilled enough to play offensive line at a high level in the NFL. It takes an enormous amount of skill and technique to be able to succeed in the trenches as an offensive lineman.

On nearly every single play, an offensive lineman is at an athletic deficit as defensive linemen may be the most athletic players in the NFL given their size. The only way for an offensive lineman to compensate for this deficit in athleticism is to master the techniques and nuances of offensive line play.

One of the top prospects in the 2015 NFL Draft who hopes to fill that scarcity of quality offensive tackles in the NFL is LSU offensive tackle La’el Collins who just won the coveted SEC Jacobs Blocking trophy for being the best offensive lineman in the SEC. Collins is a massive man as he is listed at 6-foot-5 and 321 pounds with what appears to be long arms.

Collins has been extremely productive, as he has had 219 knockdowns in 2,482 career snaps. This means he knocks down an opposing defender on 11.3 percent or one out of every 11 snaps he is on the field, which is a truly staggering number.

Despite that fact, it is impossible to tell how good an offensive lineman is based on stats since there are just not many of them out there.

Therefore, let’s take a look Collins’ tape and see if he deserves the label of a first-round pick.

Collins’ first trait that jumps out on film is his initial punch. Collins may have the strongest punch out of the entire draft-eligible offensive lineman in the draft. The purpose of an initial punch is to redirect or severely limit the defensive lineman’s force or momentum.

This play is a great example of La’el’s great punch:

Collins is lined up at the left tackle with a tight end to his left with a defensive end slightly shaded to his outside. After the ball is snapped, Collins takes a 45-degree lead step to his left. He remains balanced as he moves to his left with his hand cocked and ready to fire. He then fires his hands inside, which jolts the defensive end’s pads and creates a ton of movement at the line of scrimmage. He gets great arm extension and pushes the defensive end back two yards with his punch alone.

The ability to create this much movement with his punch alone is extremely rare among offensive lineman in today’s game. Last year, Greg Robinson was able to create movement with his punch alone and Collins follow in his footsteps with this exceptional trait this year. When offensive linemen can create movement like the play above, it leads to huge holes that any running back can run through.

The next trait that Collins exemplifies is leg drive. Once an offensive lineman engages at the point of attack with a defender they must keep their feet moving to generate the necessary amount of force to move the opposing defender. In a base drive or “power” block, an offensive lineman’s first step his his lead step, while his second is his attack step, which engages him with the defender. The only way for the offensive lineman to finish the block is to keep his feet moving through the contact or all his prior steps and punch will be wasted.

Here is a great example of Collins’ great leg drive:

Once again, Collins is lined up at left tackle with a tight end to his left. However, this time Dante Fowler, one of the best defensive ends in college football, is lined up shaded to his outside. After the snap, Collins takes a slight lead step with his left foot followed by an attack step with his right foot. Fowler does a great job getting off the ball quickly, which limits Collins’ ability to get a good initial punch. This initially causes a stalemate at the line of scrimmage. However, Collins drives his feet at the point of attack, while Fowler doesn’t, which allows him create a ton of movement as he pushes Fowler four yards off the line of scrimmage.

Collins’ strength, punch and leg drive allow him to dominate in drive or power blocks in a man-blocking scheme. However, it also manifests itself when he performs zone blocks as well. While La’el does a better job of moving vertically in the run game, he displays enough lateral mobility and foot speed to execute blocks on any outside zone or stretch plays.

Here is an example of Collins’ performing a reach block on an outside zone run:

Collins is at the left tackle position with a tight end to his left and in a three-point stance as a defensive end is lined up head up on him. After the snap, he executes a slide step to his left, which allows him to gain leverage on the defensive end. Then, he does a great job of getting his outside hand on the outside number of the defensive end with his punch that jolts the defender. He does an excellent job of driving his feet through the contact and turning the defender to give his running back a clear lane to run through.

Collins not only does great work at dominating opposing defenders at the line of scrimmage, but he is surprisingly adept at blocking in space for someone his size. Most massive offensive linemen look awkward moving in space, but Collins looks relatively smooth when you compare him with them. Collins doesn’t move as smoothly as some of the smaller, athletic tackles like Ty Sambrailo, but he is smooth enough to get the job done. Collins shows great mental processing in space as well. He does a great job of deciphering where and who to block in space and the best way to do it.

This is a great example of Collins working to the second level and blocking in space:

Collins is again at the left tackle position with a tight end to his left; however, on this play he is not covered by a defensive lineman. After the snap, the Collins takes a lead step with his right foot to perform a combination block on the defensive tackle with the left guard. As the seal blocker, his job is to hit the defender, so that the guard can perform his block, and to work to the second level and block the weak-side linebacker. Collins comes down and gets a great push, which knocks the defensive tackle down and basically eliminates him from the play. Collins then works to the second level and turns his head toward the linebacker on the weak side. Collins gets in range and performs a powerful punch that jolts the linebacker back a yard and give the running back room to get a sizable gain.

Collins has shown all the traits to be a dominant run-blocker in the NFL. However, offensive tackles in the NFL aren’t paid to be run-blockers, they are paid to be great in pass protection. While Collins thrives in run blocking, he is no slouch in pass protection either.

Collins does a good job of getting out of his stance and into his pass set where he can mirror defenders extremely well. In the SEC, he has faced a number of premier edge rushers, like Alvin “Bud” Dupree, Dante Fowler and Preston Smith, and he has done exceptionally well.

This play showcases Collins’ ability to mirror his opponents:

On this play, La’el is lined up at the left tackle in a two-point stance with Dante Fowler lined up as an outside linebacker opposite him. After the snap, Collins does a fantastic job of pushing off his inside foot and into his kick slide as Fowler explodes of the ball. Collins stays balanced in his kick slide and doesn’t give Fowler a decent route to the quarterback. He stays patient and executes a great punch, which eliminates any opportunity for Fowler to generate pressure.

Even though the above play was a quick pass, it still shows the traits that allow Collins to thrive in pass protection. He gets into his kick slide quickly and balanced and stays square to the line of scrimmage so that Fowler doesn’t have an opportunity for an inside counter move.

The last trait that makes Collins an exemplary offensive tackle prospect is his strong hands. Once he gets his hands on defenders its over, as it is extremely difficult to disengage off Collins’ strong grips.

This play showcases Collins’ strong hands:

LSU is lined up in an unbalanced left formation. Therefore, Collins is lined as the left tackle with one tackle and a tight end to his left (he is the second person from the left of the center). After the snap, Collins performs a soft kick slide as he pushes off his inside foot and takes a short jab step backwards at a 45-degree angle to his left. Once Alvin Dupree (No. 2) gets in range, Collins shoots his hands inside and grabs Dupree’s breastplate. Dupree tries as hard as he can to disengage off Collins, but he can’t, which results in Dupree flailing around as Collins easily controls him.

While Collins is an upper-echelon tackle prospect, he does have one fundamental flaw in his game that he will need to fix. The one area where Collins doesn’t make his blocks or where he gets beat are where he overextends or gets his weight over his toes. This leads to Collins losing balance and ending up on the ground far too often.

Here is an example of Collins overextending:

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Collins is again lined up at the left tackle position with a tight end to his left. After the snap, Collins takes a slide step to his left to try to perform a get to the outside of the defensive end and turn him. However, Collins lunges at the defensive end and gets his pads over his toes, which allows the defensive end to easily execute a swim move over Collins who gets completely off balanced and falls to the ground.

Collins first punch is so good that sometimes he gets too eager to fire it off at defender, which causes him to lunge and loose his balance. If Collins overextends at the next level, he will get beat badly by the elite pass rushers he will face.

Overall, Collins’ skill set best fits on a team that employs a power-running scheme where Collins can fire off the ball, move forward and dominate his man. Nevertheless, Collins has the ability to do a great job for a team that uses a zone-blocking scheme, but it would be utilizing him to the best of his ability. Collins would best be served as a right tackle initially as he cleans up some of his flaws in year one; before he is moved over to the left tackle position in year two or three just like the Dallas Cowboys did with Tyron Smith.

In a league that is in desperate need of quality offensive lineman, La’el Collins may be the first one off the board when April 30th rolls around.

Projection: Round 1

• This reply was modified 11 years ago by Agamemnon.
• This reply was modified 11 years ago by Agamemnon.

zn wrote:

Ag I think I will keep the independent 101/Lande…or would you rather have it here? LMK

Go ahead and delete this one. I posted it before I saw yours.

Cignetti also stressed that he won't deal as much with the QBs as Schottenheimer did as OC.

— Jim Thomas (@jthom1) February 13, 2015

And yes, Cignetti says he plans to get Tavon Austin more involved.

— Jim Thomas (@jthom1) February 13, 2015

Fisher also said Jeff Garcia interview went well for QB coach (it took place Thurs. and also today). Fisher has another candidate. . .

— Jim Thomas (@jthom1) February 13, 2015

. . .for job, may make decision next week.

— Jim Thomas (@jthom1) February 13, 2015

Fisher said Cignetti has been working as OC for about 10 days.

— Jim Thomas (@jthom1) February 13, 2015

http://www.stlouisrams.com/videos/videos/Fisher-and-Cignetti-Press-Conference/69899acd-d55a-485f-adf2-7ba08796a340
Fisher and Cignetti Press Conference
Watch Jeff Fisher introduce Frank Cignetti as the St. Louis Rams new offensive coordinator.

OT: This is a deep and solid group, but the closest guys to having elite potential are Underclassmen who still have much to learn. CLEMMINGS demonstrated that with a poor/mediocre Senior Bowl showing. Some would argue that both SCHERFF & COLLINS might be better fits at OG in the pro game.
BRANDON SCHERFF/IOWA
ERECK FLOWERS/MIAMI*
ANDRUS PEAT/STANFORD*
LA’EL COLLINS/LSU
T.J. CLEMMINGS/PITT
CEDRIC OGBUEHI/TEXAS A&M#

C/G This is a deeper group than many years, but lacking in top end talent. CANN might make it late in Round 1, but that would be it.
A.J. CANN/SOUTH CAROLINA
TRE’ JACKSON/FLORIDA STATE
CAMERON ERVING/C/FLORIDA STATE
LAKEN TOMLINSON/DUKE
HRONISS GRASU/C/OREGON

http://gbnreport.com/pigskin-pauls-top-5-position/

As I prepare to do my first MOCK ROUND 1, let me say that I will only have about 22-25 players overall who I would consider to be Round 1 talents from the ranks above. Depth is almost as good as last year, but the elite, skill position player count is down.

• This reply was modified 11 years ago by Agamemnon.

zn wrote:

Agamemnon wrote:
There are 4 of 5 tackles good enough to play left tackle. They just aren’t good enough to be much more than a top 10 pick. Some of them are being projected to other positions or playing their first year at a different position, especially if you already have a LT.

1 Brandon Scherff 6-5 320 5.15 Iowa X/OG
2 *Andrus Peat 6-6 315 5.25 Stanford
3 La’el Collins 6-5 315 5.15 LSU OG
4 *Ereck Flowers 6-5 325 5.3 Miami
5 T.J. Clemmings 6-5 305 5.15 Pittsburgh

All of these could be gone between about pick 8 to pick 20 something, Different teams will rate them in different orders. If the kid from ND had come out, he would have been a top 5. imo

How would you rate the year overall for OL in general?

Brandon Scherff
Iowa offensive lineman Brandon Scherff is widely regarded as the top offensive line prospect in the 2015 NFL draft. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
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Nick Powell | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com By Nick Powell | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
on January 06, 2015 at 5:30 PM, updated January 06, 2015 at 5:37 PM
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The Giants will have a plethora of players to choose from with the ninth pick in this spring’s draft. But one position they might want to punt on in that spot is along the offensive line.

ESPN’s draft expert Todd McShay told reporters in a conference call on Tuesday that teams looking for a top offensive line prospect at the top of the draft might end up disappointed. McShay said that the “sweet spot” in the draft for offensive linemen is more towards the bottom half of the first round and second round, where he feels the top available linemen would have more value.

“I think there will be plenty of offensive linemen to get as long as you’re not picking somewhere in that top 10, top 15 and feel like you’re maybe reaching for one,” McShay said.

As an example, McShay pointed to Iowa’s Brandon Scherff, an offensive tackle from the University of Iowa who he believes is the top offensive lineman in the draft. McShay gave Scherff a 92 grade, which is equivalent to a late first round pick (as a reference point, a 96-98 is a mid-to-early first round grade). But based on the offensive line needs of certain teams picking in the top 15, the Giants, arguably being one of them, McShay projected Scherff as the number 10 pick in his last mock draft. McShay also had Scherff as the eighth-highest rated prospect in this year’s draft.

Scherff’s future position will also affect his draft value. McShay and many other draft observers feel that Scherff might be a better player at guard than at tackle, but guards are rarely taken in the top 10.

The Giants likely will have a hole to fill at guard, especially if they move Weston Richburg to center, so it is not inconceivable that Scherff would be a prospect that they consider. After all, McShay compared Scherff to the Cowboys guard Zack Martin, who had a stellar rookie season, and was named to the Pro Bowl. The Giants were linked to Martin last spring with the 13th pick, but ultimately chose Odell Beckham Jr.

But passing on an offensive lineman with their ninth pick obviously does not preclude the Giants from considering one in the later rounds. As McShay noted, there will be a handful of solid offensive linemen available in the second round. One name to watch will be Eric Flowers, a junior offensive tackle from Miami, who has not yet declared for the draft.

“Eric Flowers from Miami, I think, is probably the most underrated offensive tackle if he winds up coming out,” McShay said. “An underclassmen that made real improvement at six foot six, 325 pounds this year. Smooth mover, good strength, I think his technique continues to get better, and I think he can be kind of a surprise in this class if he does come out.”

McShay also mentioned Stanford’s Andrus Peat, Pittsburgh’s T.J. Clemmings, and LSU’s La’el Collins as three tackle prospects worthy of a second round pick. At guard, he pointed to A.J. Cann from South Carolina.

As a draft strategy, the Giants usually look for the best player available rather than draft for need, so don’t expect them to reach for an offensive lineman with the ninth pick just because it would fill a hole. It is far more likely that they heed McShay’s advice and search for offensive line help later in the draft, and use their top pick at another position.
http://www.nj.com/giants/index.ssf/2015/01/nfl_draft_2015_todd_mcshay_says_few_offensive_line_prospects_worthy_of_giants_top_10_pick.html

That is a sample of what the draftniks think. I think you might not have the franchise LTs in this draft, but you have some decent LTs and more than average the number of decent offensive linemen. An excess of versatile linemen, but not an excess of guards or centers.