Could Collins start next to Dexter Lawrence for the Giants?
Defensive tackle is one of the biggest perceived needs on the New York Giants roster.
It’s unknown how the decision makers inside the building feel about the position in light of the line’s improved play after the loss of Dexter Lawrence, but upgrades are likely in consideration. What we do know is that the 2025 NFL Draft has a deep and talented defensive tackle class and it would be remarkable if one didn’t present a good value relatively early.
Texas defensive tackle Alfred Collins has seen his profile steadily raise over the course of the 2024 season and into the draft process. He’s built a resume as a premier run stopper on a great Longhorns defense, and he also manages to impact the pass. Just how high should he be on the Giants’ radar?
Prospect: Alfred Collins (95)
Games Watched: vs. Michigan (2024), vs. Oklahoma (2024), vs. Georgia (2024), vs. Texas A&M (2024)
Measurables
Height: 6-foot-5 (estimated)
Weight: 312 (estimated)
Strengths
Best traits
- Play strength
- Length
- Leverage
- Competitive toughness
- Run defense
Collins is a long, powerful, and surprisingly flexible defensive tackle prospect.
Collins has a versatile frame at 6-foot-5, 312 pounds (both unofficial), and appears to have long arms. He has good thickness in his upper and lower body, with evident power throughout. That thick frame belies a flexible lower body which allows him to consistently play with great leverage to maximize his play strength. His blend of size, length, and flexibility allowed Texas to play him at multiple alignments across their front, from 0 to 5-technique.
Great extension is the hallmark of Collins’ game, making full use of his length to keep blockers from accessing his chest plate and allowing him to shed blocks almost at will. Collins has excellent grip and core strength, which allow him to control blockers and he was frequently used to eat double teams and create opportunities for Texas’ other defenders.
Unsurprisingly, Collins is a good run defender who is able to prevent rushing lanes from opening with his initial get-off. His length and strength also allow him to make plays off of blockers or force cut-backs if he can’t make a play on the ball carrier. Collins also has great hustle in pursuit, tracking the ball well in the backfield, while his hand usage allows him to disengage at will.
Collins has also developed a good understanding of how to use his frame to disrupt in the passing game even without being a good pass rusher. He does a great job of reading quarterbacks’ eyes and using his long arms to clog passing lanes on his way to the passer.
Weaknesses
Worst traits
- Athleticism
- Pass rush
Collins’ weaknesses show up any time he’s asked to run any kind of distance or when his initial rush is stymied.
He’s a powerful player, but lacks great quickness, agility, and long speed, all of which serve to limit him as a defender. Collins struggles to gain much ground into the backfield and lacks the explosiveness and agility to be a consistent pass rusher or disruptive on a down-to-down basis. He’s capable of getting a good push and collapsing the pocket in one-on-one situations, but his athletic limitations mean he has few answers for blockers who are ready for his power.
And while he has a great motor and gives good effort in pursuit, he often arrives too late to make much of an impact.
Game Tape
(Collins is the Texas defensive tackle wearing number 95)
Projection
Collins projects as an important rotational defensive lineman with starting upside in the right system.
Teams that depend on penetration from their front four might view Collins as more of a two-down run stuffer than a three-down defender due to his limited pass rush upside. He’s capable of commanding and controlling double teams, but he lacks the explosiveness or agility to be consistently disruptive on his own.
Conversely, teams that prefer to use defensive linemen to hold blockers and scheme pressure with the blitz will likely find Collins intriguing. He plays with impressive leverage and extension, giving him outsized play strength. And while he generally isn’t able to generate pressure quickly, he can create those opportunities for blitzing linebackers or defensive backs.
Collins can play multiple positions along the defensive line and his ability to control blockers will always be valuable. However, his exact appeal will likely depend heavily on the scheme and needs of the team scouting him.
Does he fit the Giants?
Yes, though his role may be limited
Final Word: A later Day 2 value
