Alex Collins

[b_stackhouse]

I was looking at Mel Kiper's latest Big Board. This is the final one he will do before the draft. Unless am I missing it, Alex Collins is nowhere to be found. He does have Jonathan Williams ranked at 148. On his positional rankings, he has Collins as the #8 RB and Williams as the #10 RB, so it makes no sense no to have him ranked on the Big Board. Maybe it is just a mistake.

I will post the link, but it is an ESPNInsider article. Maybe someone else can find his name.

http://espn.go.com/nfl/draft2016/insider/story/_/id/15355542/nfl-draft-2016-mel-kiper-final-big-board-top-300-prospects-2016

[b_stackhouse]

Reading the comments to the article, it also looks like he left off Derrick Henry, but included Kenyan Drake. Perhaps he just has something against starting RBs.

[Biggus Piggus]

It has been trendy lately to downgrade Collins. I've heard that scouts of NFL teams in the SEC/ACC/Big 12 regions like Collins better than scouts of teams in the rest of the country. The former based their opinions on watching him play football. The others mainly broke down film, did the combine and pro day.

[ThisTeetsTaken]

It has been trendy lately to downgrade Collins. I've heard that scouts of NFL teams in the SEC/ACC/Big 12 regions like Collins better than scouts of teams in the rest of the country. The former based their opinions on watching him play football. The others mainly broke down film, did the combine and pro day.

I don't make a living scouting football players but to me AC3's running style is tailor made for the NFL.  His hard cuts and straight line running seems like the style that is the most successful in the pros. 

[longpig]

In this draft, after Elliot it's hardly more than a popular contest.

[31to6]

I don't make a living scouting football players but to me AC3's running style is tailor made for the NFL.  His hard cuts and straight line running seems like the style that is the most successful in the pros. 

His freshman year and half-way through his sophomore season he thought he was something he wasn't--too much finesse. He was able to productive because he would rip of nice big runs to make up for getting caught dancing and because we could go to JWill when we needed tough yards.

Last year he embraced who he really is (a big back with vision and footwork--for his size) and started running mean and it showed, particularly when we needed *him* to take control of the game.

[RazorbackBassist]

Wooo Pig

[Soooie21]

Unless you are just a cut about...Rb's are a dime a dozen...

[SooiecidetillNuttgone]

Unless you are just a cut about...Rb's are a dime a dozen...

It will never happen because fringe fans love the big play aerial attacks, but the NFL really needs to scale it's pass friendly rules back to bring some balance to the game.

That would make the running game more than a diversion to keep the defense honest and create some additional stars beyond the QBs and WRs......Which that would help the league's pocketbook.

[rzrbackramsfan]

I'm gonna disagree! I play fantasy football and know that theres a very wide spectrum among rbs in the league.  You don't want al blue to be your main back. 

I don't think rbs like ac are a dime a dozen, he's got some skills that are unique to him.

[hawgmasta]

Unless you are just a cut about...Rb's are a dime a dozen...

This. Look at the laughing stock that Dallas created by taking Elliot at 4. Even if he is a hall of famer a running back in today's game WILL be injured a lot. It's one of the most punishing positions and teams have learned that it's cheaper and easier to pay smaller contracts to later round backs.

[BPsTheMan]

I don't make a living scouting football players but to me AC3's running style is tailor made for the NFL.  His hard cuts and straight line running seems like the style that is the most successful in the pros.

you are 100% correct sir

[Pig in the Pokey]

i said when all this began he should come back because he might not get drafted. ya'll railed me hard for that one.

[ChitownHawg]

i said when all this began he should come back because he might not get drafted. ya'll railed me hard for that one.

He will go in RD 4 or 5. His value skyrockets in these later rounds where teams are looking for best athlete on the board.

[Nipsey Mussle]

In this draft, after Elliot it's hardly more than a popular contest.

Oh yeah? LOL

[Pig in the Pokey]

He will go in RD 4 or 5. His value skyrockets in these later rounds where teams are looking for best athlete on the board.

i hope so. i don't THINK it will happen (him NOT being drafted), just meant that it should been considered b/c the NFL draft is a ridiculous thing. I do think AC will make a great pro. he is gonna be a super-effecient 4-6 yd maker, with occasional bursts. He style is perfect for the nfl. DOES NOT mean he'll get drafted. He is a RB, guys.

[RedyorNot]

All the services say the same thing. Solid prospect but nothing special, ability to be an every down back with potential to be a workhorse, downhill runner with vision but lacks elite speed. Third or fourth round is seems to be a reasonable landing spot.

[Iwastherein1969]

Alex and Jonathan should have stuck around for another year....especially Alex...dude could have won the Heisman....oh well, that boat sailed a few months ago

[Andrew Hogfan]

Wow!!!! To all these rbs I've never heard of, (other than Dixion, Yay,) being picked over Alex.... Smh

[PorkRinds]

There have only been three RBs taken. Anyone taking Drake over AC, jwill, or even Dixon is misguided. But staying would t have made the NFL value RBs more.  The Heisman trophy winner was a second round pick.

[Hogz87]

This ins't an attempt to bash Bielema or any of our players, so if you somehow interpret it that way, I apologize.

It seems that it's becoming a trend where we think we're going to have 3-5 players drafted in the first 3-5 rounds.  Collins was one of 3 best backs in the SEC and the other two were a Heisman winner and Heisman contender and I don't think Collins was all that far behind either of them; and for all intents and purposes, seemed to have be made out a of a decent number of things that make a good, or at least potentially good, NFL running back.  No Kirkland or Tretola, yet, either.  Maybe I just buy into the "hype" and assume every highest projected draft position I hear for our players is where they will/should go, so when they slip it annoys me.



Anyway, three running backs were drafted in the 4th round and no Alex Collins.  What gets me, is that I saw several "Big Board" top 100s-ish and mock drafts that had Collins as a top 100-ish prospect and a 4th (or even 3rd) round draft grade.  Yet, we're about to start the 5th round and he's still on the board.  Seems like we've had one or two guys the last few years that we (or at least I) think is going to go in the 3rd-5th round but just keep falling and falling and falling. 

Congrats to Arkansas native Kenneth Dixon getting drafted, though.  He's one of the few Arkansas high school football players I've had the pleasure of seeing in person go on and make the NFL.

[greenEGnHAWGS]

Wow!!!! To all these rbs I've never heard of, (other than Dixion, Yay,) being picked over Alex.... Smh
[/quote

Exactly. This is the amazing report given for the guy picked over AC...

Booker is a highly competitive and determined runner who brings versatility in the passing game. He has adequate vision and patience as a runner, but he doesn't have elite elusiveness or power as a runner. He is shifty enough and runs with good pad level, however, to churn out yards after contact. Booker comes with durability concerns after a season-ending knee injury last year and also has some ball security issues. But he could develop into a change-of-pace back for a team. -- Kevin Weidl

Catches passes. Adequate vision patience. No elite elusiveness or power. Injury prone.

How did this guy get taken before AC?

[azhog10]

This ins't an attempt to bash Bielema or any of our players, so if you somehow interpret it that way, I apologize.

It seems that it's becoming a trend where we think we're going to have 3-5 players drafted in the first 3-5 rounds.  Collins was one of 3 best backs in the SEC and the other two were a Heisman winner and Heisman contender and I don't think Collins was all that far behind either of them; and for all intents and purposes, seemed to have be made out a of a decent number of things that make a good, or at least potentially good, NFL running back.  No Kirkland or Tretola, yet, either.  Maybe I just buy into the "hype" and assume every highest projected draft position I hear for our players is where they will/should go, so when they slip it annoys me.



Anyway, three running backs were drafted in the 4th round and no Alex Collins.  What gets me, is that I saw several "Big Board" top 100s-ish and mock drafts that had Collins as a top 100-ish prospect and a 4th (or even 3rd) round draft grade.  Yet, we're about to start the 5th round and he's still on the board.  Seems like we've had one or two guys the last few years that we (or at least I) think is going to go in the 3rd-5th round but just keep falling and falling and falling. 

Congrats to Arkansas native Kenneth Dixon getting drafted, though.  He's one of the few Arkansas high school football players I've had the pleasure of seeing in person go on and make the NFL.

I wish the NFL was a little more honest with these guys. It's clear they got some bad information and I'm curious had they known they were 5-7th round picks if they would have come back.

[Andrew Hogfan]

I wish they would let them come back if they aren't drafted high enough to satisfy themselves. Isn't this how it works with baseball?

[alohawg]

There have been at least 5 RB's taken I believe, Alex and Jonathan still waiting.....

Btw, I am hating the Cowboys picks, including Elliott. I think he is way overrated at 4.

[PharmacistHog]

I wish they would let them come back if they aren't drafted high enough to satisfy themselves. Isn't this how it works with baseball?

i think that would turn into a huge mess.

[Hogz87]

I wish the NFL was a little more honest with these guys. It's clear they got some bad information and I'm curious had they known they were 5-7th round picks if they would have come back.

Thing is, this is two years in a row where this has happened to some of our guys, or at least it seems/feels that way.  As a Razorback fan, you can't help but feel bad for them and a little irritated and angry.

[BigSexyHog]

He will go in RD 4 or 5. His value skyrockets in these later rounds where teams are looking for best athlete on the board.

Highly doubt it.  Already in Rd 5 and doesn't look promissing.  Who knows, just want him to get picked

[songofthesword]

here's the thing


if i knew for sure he could make a career in the nfl now i'd tell him to go myself

i honestly do not think he makes a openig day roster right now.

he's not really fast, he can't catch all that well when's the last time you seen collins line up in the slot or do a wheel route... so no third down back,  there was a reason williams always started in front of him

he needs to come back and work on his route running and hands and preventing this

https://v.cdn.vine.co/r/videos/2406917DE41264808420570697728_427b95255a9.1.1.1564300427453427557.mp4.jpg?versionId=U_hKR0McJahJ.8TeNqKIEHpTvLFr8JZX


wouldn't be a bad idea either


i mean, the stuff is really fixable but 53 man roster there is no learning on the job for 6th rounders
http://www.hogville.net/yabbse/index.php?topic=605844.100

People don't understand just how ruthless the NFL is. Collins is too slow to veva feature back, not a good enough pass catcher to be a third down  back


Williams just needed a healthy year but he was going to be a 5th-7th round guy before he missed a year

[Arazorbackguy1]

He's getting Thurmaned right now.

[Andrew Hogfan]

i think that would turn into a huge mess.

Not if they had the draft earlier(which I know they won't) or if the players didn't sign with agents. It won't happen so it doesn't matter. The NFL cares about one thing, money, not what is best for college athletes

[jseinfeld50]

a

[rljjr]

You would think somebody would take a guy with 3 1,000 yard seasons in the best conference in football. JW might even be the better pro.

When I saw the guy from TT get drafted I know there is something strange going on.

[greenEGnHAWGS]

This is getting ridiculous.

[Ex-Trumpet]

Any chance the NFL doesn't like dreads?

[Hog Fan from Camden]

Wow!

[hog.goblin]

Wow another one

[Kevin]

Wow, 3 1,000 yard seasons in sec not meaning much.

[WilsonHog]

Ten RBs taken so far:

Ezekiel Elliott, Ohio State
Derrick Henry, Alabama
Kenyon Drake, Alabama
CJ Prosise, Notre Dame
Tyler Ervin, San Jose State
Kenneth Dixon, Louisiana Tech
Devontae Booker, Utah
Deandre Washington, Texas Tech
Paul Perkins, UCLA
Jordan Howard, Indiana

[Hog Fan from Camden]

RB from IU before Collins!  Just wow!

[BigSexyHog]

The guy from UCLA is pretty salty but don't know anything about this guy from Indiana. 

[Ex-Trumpet]

And another from TTU?

[songofthesword]

That kid from tech is fast as hell

Tretola will be the next off the board

[Hogz87]

Seriously, what the heck is going on?  Surely he was ranked as one of the top 5-10 running backs in the draft, no?

[Hog Fan from Camden]

I can only imagine what he is thinking right now!

[BigSexyHog]

NFL network guys talking about both Williams and AC

[PharmacistHog]

Not if they had the draft earlier(which I know they won't) or if the players didn't sign with agents. It won't happen so it doesn't matter. The NFL cares about one thing, money, not what is best for college athletes

It's a business. Of course they only care about money. If you start letting kids back out then what do the teams that draft them do at that point?  I don't like these kids being given bad advice either but they really need to take some responsibility themselves.

[alohawg]

Both our guys ran with a chip on their shoulders before. I'm thinking that is about to be amped up now for wherever they go.

[Ex-Trumpet]

NFL network guys talking about both Williams and AC

Switching back...ESPN is about 5 minutes behind!!

[Razorbacks#1]

Ten RBs taken so far:

Ezekiel Elliott, Ohio State
Derrick Henry, Alabama
Kenyon Drake, Alabama
CJ Prosise, Notre Dame
Tyler Ervin, San Jose State
Kenneth Dixon, Louisiana Tech
Devontae Booker, Utah
Deandre Washington, Texas Tech
Paul Perkins, UCLA
Jordan Howard, Indiana

Crazy that some of those went before JW and AC