2015 NFL Mock Draft: Houston Texans take La'el Collins

La'el Collins, OT, LSU

PROS

• Good initial punch in the rush game. Physical player.

• Ability to lead his couple to where he wants without too many problems, both zone and man.

• Good straight shift from the line of scrimmage.

• Solid in pass protection, but not spectacular technique.

CONS

• Not quick in lateral shift.

• Possible improvement in pass protection.

• Need to improve his reaction to the first punch of the rusher.

• Need to recognize and have a faster reaction to the DL movements.

La'el Collins enters the 2015 NFL Draft after starting 38 games for the LSU Tigers.  He started at guard during his sophomore season and transitioned to tackle the last two years.

Collins finished the 2014 season as a:

• Second Team All-American and

• First Team All-SEC performer and was the

• Winner of the Jacobs Blocking Trophy.

In 2013, he was a:

• Second Team All-SEC selection.

Physically, Collins is right in the NFL's wheelhouse when describing the ideal tackle measureables.  At 6'5 and 315lbs, he's plenty big enough to holdup in the NFL while still presenting with a body composition that allows for solid movement skills and overall agility.  He doesn't appear sloppy, and while near 315 pounders could always use some tightening in their mid-sections, I don't see any glaring issues with his frame. Collins is a strong, strong man.  He creates a powerful jolt on contact and while he doesn't always play with great leverage, his natural power is clear on tape, like BGN says, trust your eyes:

Look at the space the LT #70 creates (2014).

Now look at the G #70 vs Alabama (2013).

First of all he gives time to his QB, in the NEXT play he explodes showing that 40 time dash.

He manages to control and drive the defender in any direction he chooses even when he appears to lack any kind of leverage advantage. Athletically, Collins struggles a bit when changing directions and with his overall agility.  He's more of a power player at this point in his development. In pass protection, La'el Collins, uncoils a strong punch and can really knock an oncoming pass rusher off his course. However, he's a work in progress with his lateral agility, and while he has pretty light feet for a big man, he still can get beat when defenders cross his face. He tends to chase a pass rusher to the edge rather than quickly getting out of his stance, sliding and cutting off the angle to the quarterback. In the run game, Collins' power and ability to drive the defender off the ball is consistently on display. He needs to play with better and more consistent pad level at times, but he is still so overwhelming at the point of attack that he can flat out maul. He's the ideal in-line power player who still needs to develop a bit more when finishing a block in space. Overall, though, he's a natural brute who will win anytime he's in a phone booth.

La'el Collins is this year's power lineman who will be extremely appealing to teams looking to upgrade their rushing attack like the Texans need with the lost of Andre Johnson and having Foster on the back. He has the kind of skill set that suggests he'll be an immediate starter in the NFL, although he does come with some risk against the speedy edge rusher. He falls into the traditional "right tackle" classification because of his potential liability on the edge. He's very similar to Brandon Scherff from a "safe pick" standpoint; If he struggles at tackle in the NFL, he can be kicked inside to be a dominant guard. He's a first round power player, easy.

Check yourself:

Guard vs. Alabama (2013)

Left tackle vs. Wisconsin (2014)

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2015 BGN Mock Draft Order

1) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (slickpablovick) - Jameis Winston, QB, FSU - [Explanation]
2) Tennessee Titans (mchiodo) - Leonard Williams, DE, USC - [Explanation]
3) Jacksonville Jaguars ("Snax") - Dante Fowler Jr., OLB, UF - [Explanation]
4) Oakland Raiders (kylebruneault) - Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama - [Explanation]
5) Washington Redskins (BigTimeTMZ) - Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon - [Explanation]
6) New York Jets (4thand26) - Kevin White, WR, WVU - [Explanation]
7) Chicago Bears (rohan915) - Vic Beasley, OLB, Clemson - [Explanation]
8) Atlanta Falcons (GMinTraining) - Danny Shelton, DT, Washington - [Explanation]
9) New York Giants (Grandpapa Joe) - Landon Collins, S, Alabama - [Explanation]
10) St. Louis Rams (deg0ey) - Brandon Scherff, OL, Iowa - [Explanation]
11) Minnesota Vikings (ablesser88) - Trae Waynes, CB, MSU - [Explanation]
12) Cleveland Browns (djcunningham) - DeVante Parker, WR, Louisville - [Explanation]
13) New Orleans Saints (del.champion) - Shane Ray, DE, Mizzou - [Explanation]
14) Miami Dolphins (drc242) - Jalen Collins, CB, LSU - [Explanation]
15) San Francisco 49ers (SleepingDuck) - Randy Gregory, OLB, NU - [Explanation]
16) Houston Texans (JaviYL) - La'el Collins, OT, LSU - [Explanation]
17) San Diego Chargers (StoneColeKiller58) -
18) Kansas City Chiefs (jimmyrustler) -
19) Cleveland Browns (NowWhat?) -
20) Philadelphia Eagles (sports00fan00) -
21) Cincinnati Bengals (Zach_The_Gamecock) -
22) Pittsburgh Steelers (KJ Brophy) -
23) Detroit Lions (KamiKazeJEDI) -
24) Arizona Cardinals (ItownBallers22) -
25) Carolina Panthers (AndyMcNabb) -
26) Baltimore Ravens (dceagles) -
27) Dallas Cowboys (kamjam) -
28) Denver Broncos (WubbaLubbaDubDub) -
29) Indianapolis Colts (ei78) -
30) Green Bay Packers (Nka727) -
31) New Orleans Saints (SwoopThereItIs) -
32) New England Patriots (naderg43) -