Five Underrated Draft Prospects The Philadelphia Eagles Should Target
By Ryan Quigley
Alex Collins, RB, Arkansas
The Eagles are very much in the running to draft Ohio State running back Ezekiel Elliott, but if they miss out on him, Collins would be a terrific alternative. In any other year, Collins would probably be a late first-round pick, but the 2016 running back class is terrific, which could cause him to have to wait a little longer than anticipated to hear his name called.
Eagles
In three years with the Razorbacks, Collins carried the ball 665 times for 3,703 yards and 36 touchdowns and dominated in his only year as the full-time starter in 2015.
Collins runs like a lunatic. He keeps his pads low to the ground and runs through defenders. It’s nearly impossible for one man to bring him down when he has a full head of steam. He explodes through holes and has the vision to find and create opportunities with the ball in his hands. He’s classified as a bruiser, but he has the feet to dance past defenders as well. His breakaway speed could be better and he’s no expert at catching the ball, but he is such a punishing runner that it’s hard not to be impressed.
Collins reminds me of a strange cross between Marshawn Lynch and Jamaal Charles. While he has the physical traits of Lynch, he also has the ability to swiftly weave through traffic like Charles. Collins is one of my favorite running back prospects in the draft and could be a good complement in an Eagles backfield filled with natural pass-catching backs.
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