Why Jalen Collins Should Be Pittsburgh Steelers' Ultimate NFL Draft Target

When it comes to the 2015 NFL draft, it's no secret that the Pittsburgh Steelers must find help on the defensive side of the ball. The question becomes: Is outside linebacker or cornerback more important?

There is an easy argument for both positions as the Steelers ranked 26th against the pass and 26th in sacks last season. In terms of performance, they are equally inept at both positions, but what about the personnel?

William Gay and Cortez Allen are coming back next season, and the Steelers are likely to retain the services of Brice McCain and Antwon Blake as well. Although there is no true No. 1 cornerback in this group, it does provide Pittsburgh with some depth.

That is not the case with outside linebacker, as Jarvis Jones is the only experienced pass-rusher under contract for 2015. Pittsburgh is prepared to allow Jason Worilds to enter free agency, and there is a strong chance that he leaves. Unless Arthur Moats or James Harrison is re-signed, the Steelers must find a starter.

Although the draft is deep with edge defenders, rarely do they make an immediate impact. Rather than wait for a rookie to develop at the position, the Steelers would be wise to sign a starter in free agency. Whether it is Moats as a stopgap, a mid-tier player such as Jabaal Sheard or a splash move such as Pernell McPhee, Pittsburgh needs an impact player who can start immediately.

By signing a free agent, general manager Kevin Colbert could find a developmental edge-rusher in the second or third round of the draft. That places an emphasis on cornerback—a position the Steelers have not drafted in the first round since Chad Scott in 1997.

Pittsburgh’s defensive backfield was a mess last season. Ike Taylor missed most of the season due to injury, but even when he was on the field, he struggled. Allen was benched in favor of McCain, and opposing quarterbacks feasted on the secondary.

As Keith Butler takes over for Dick LeBeau, he knows that he cannot enter the season with so many question marks in the secondary. For that reason, when the draft clock starts for the Steelers, Jalen Collins needs to be the 22nd selection.

Collins is a rising prospect who is the second-ranked cornerback by numerous draft experts, including Bleacher Report’s Matt Miller and NFL Media’s Mike Mayock. Although he only has 10 starts in three years at LSU, there is a lot to like about his potential.

The first thing that will stand out with Collins is his size. At 6’1” and 203 pounds, he has ideal size for a starting cornerback. If Allen bounces back to form, that would give the Steelers two starters standing over six feet.

Besides his size, Collins had a terrific performance at the combine. According to the NFL Combine Tracker, he ran the 40-yard dash in 4.48 seconds and was a top performer in the three-cone drill with a time of 6.77 seconds. Although not outstanding, he performed well in the vertical jump (36 inches) and broad jump (124 inches). NFL.com's Bryan Fischer and NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah were impressed:

As strong as his performance was in the performance-test drills, Collins did struggle in position drills. Nick Underhill of the Advocate highlighted one of the issues: “Going through drills, he struggled to catch the ball, and it almost appeared as if he were batting them down. The television broadcast picked up a coach telling him that he wasn’t playing volleyball.”

This is a concern for a team that lacks playmakers in the defensive backfield. If the Steelers are going to select a cornerback in the first round for the first time in nearly two decades, they want a playmaker. Collins only had three interceptions and 17 pass breakups in his college career. CBS Sports' Dane Brugler notes Collins certainly has room to improve:

That may make a player such as Kevin Johnson or Quintin Rollins—both with seven career interceptions—more intriguing options. The first round is a reach for Rollins but certainly an option for Johnson, whom the Steelers have watched closely, according to Scott Brown of ESPN.com.

Johnson may be the more polished prospect, but Collins' upside is so intriguing. In reality, either prospect would provide a significant boost to Pittsburgh’s secondary, but we are aiming high here, and Collins provides the higher ceiling.

Here is what Lance Zierlein of NFL.com had to say about Collins:

"

Immensely talented cornerback who brings the entire triangle (height, weight, speed) with him. Still learning technique and how to sink his feet with his eyes, but the instincts and athleticism to make plays on the ball both short and deep are what set him apart. Collins is a work in progress, but his physical and play traits create a very high ceiling if he continues to learn to play the position.

"

Even with all of the concerns surrounding Collins, he has the measurables that you just cannot coach, including a 78-inch wingspan. He also recognizes that he is a work in progress and is putting in the time necessary to become a better player.

Collins has spent time in Florida working out with Ike Taylor at the Tom Shaw performance camp, according to Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. He told Jim Kleinpeter of NOLA.com that he is trying to soak everything in while working with NFL veterans:

"I'm just trying to get knowledge from guys that have had experience at the position and success as well," Collins said. "Just trying to take everything in, every little detail to help me get better.

“I want to take my game to another level, become a student of the game. Put extra time in the film room, learn everything I can from the other guys and work hard like I've been doing."

Collins is doing all of the right things to prepare for his NFL career. He is a work in progress, but he offers potential as a playmaker in the secondary and is also willing to step up against the run—a trait the Steelers desire from their cornerbacks.

If Collins is ever able to translate his natural physical abilities to his performance on the field, he could develop into the top cornerback in the draft. It is a risky first-round pick for the Steelers but one worth taking.

Note: Unless otherwise noted, all stats are courtesy of ESPN.com, all combine results are courtesy of the NFL.com Combine Tracker, all draft rankings are courtesy of Matt Miller of Bleacher Report, and all roster information is courtesy of Steelers.com.  

Completion Percentage	Yards Against	Yards per Attempt	Touchdowns Allowed	Interceptions	Passer Rating
23rd	27th	28th	T-28th	T-25th	28th

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