Alex Collins, Seattle Seahawks
Another running back I think the Dallas Cowboys should monitor this off-season is Alex Collins, who is currently with the Seattle Seahawks. Like T.J. Yeldon, Collins is buried on the Seahawks depth chart and could become expendable at some point this off-season.
Collins was at best third on the depth chart in Seattle behind Thomas Rawls and C.J. Prosise, but that was before the Seahawks decided to sign a veteran free agent RB Eddie Lacey. Things certainly don’t look good for Collins’ chances to stick in Seattle, which could make him an option for the Cowboys.
Collins is a physical downhill runner and has the size (5’10”, 217) to be in every down back in the NFL. He had three consecutive 1,000 yard seasons at Arkansas, joining Darren McFadden is the only other Razorback RB to accomplish that feat.
Collins has good foot quickness and agility to avoid would-be tacklers, and is instantly able to hit top speed once he makes his cut. However, he doesn’t have the long speed to be a true home run threat. He also has really good vision to find the running lane and always finds himself falling forward due to his forward lean and consistent pad level.
Unfortunately, due to his physical running style, he does have some ball security issues. He fumbled twice in his rookie season with the Seahawks, but that should be correctable. He also is little unproven in the passing game. He wasn’t asked to do it much at Arkansas, but that doesn’t mean he’s not capable.
Overall, Alex Collins could come in and add valuable depth to the RB position for the Cowboys. He will be entering his second year in the NFL, so Seattle might be looking to receive some compensation for him. But, as a fifth-round draft pick just a year ago, he could just as well be released outright.
I think he could seriously push Darren McFadden for that RB2 spot in 2017, but the Cowboys could do a lot worse than him as their RB3.
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