Jalen Collins NFL Draft 2015: Scouting Report, Grade for Falcons Rookie

STRENGTHS
Jalen Collins is a long, fluid, twitchy prospect with big upside at cornerback. Collins is a big jumper with the ability to challenge and take away jump balls. He's aggressive and will sacrifice his body to get the ball. He's athletically gifted and is able to change direction on the fly to keep up with receivers—and he does this with inconsistent and sloppy footwork, often wasting steps.

In man coverage he has the height, weight and speed to be a factor down the field, and when asked to play in zone he reacts to the ball in flight and can close on the receiver to make a play on the ball. Collins has light, quick feet and is an easy mover when he's on the field.

WEAKNESSES
A one-year starter (10 games), Collins has work to do as a technician. He was benched in 2013 and didn't regain the starting job until 2014. He is a gambler, an impatient cover man who likes to jump routes and go for the big play. He wins with athleticism, not technique, and must learn how to properly use his feet and length in transitions and when turning to bail.

Collins is a high-potential player but has a low floor coming into the NFL. If he takes to coaching and can improve his technique, his natural gifts will shine. But that's a big risk, and a reason why Collins isn't competing with higher-ranked corners in this class.

2014 STATISTICS

Tackles 38
Passes Defended 9
Interceptions 1

PRO COMPARISON: Dee Milliner, New York Jets

A big, long, fast cornerback who needs work on his technique, Collins is very similar to how Dee Milliner looked coming out of Alabama.

FINAL GRADE: 6.49/9.00 (Rookie Impact)