Cowboys 2016 Draft: Talking With Corn Nation About Third-Round Pick Maliek Collins

[waving monkey]

When the Dallas Cowboys drafted Maliek Collins in the third round of the 2016 NFL Draft, it was seen as a bit of a surprise. After all, Andrew Billings was on the board and many draft experts had him over the Collins. However, the Cowboys fell in love with Collins because he fits perfectly into their plans at defensive tackle position. He's an athletic freak who is versatile in the middle. Let's learn a little more about Collins by talking with Brian Towle at SB Nation blog Corn Nation.

BTB: What are some specific things you know about Maliek?




Towle: Maliek came to the Huskers from Center High School in Kansas City, where he was more seen as a regional recruit. Nebraska got him over teams like Kansas, Iowa State, Iowa, Missouri and Tulsa among others. He quickly became a guy that Nebraska and former defensive line coach Rich Kaczenski loved in that he would be able to take advantage of one-on-one matchups in the middle.

BTB: What is Maliek's biggest strength?



Towle: Mentioned above, he's at his best when he's able to do a 3-technique in the middle of the line. Under former Nebraska head coach Bo Pelini, Collins and the rest of the defensive tackles were instructed to keep quarterbacks in front of them, just making sure that the pass rushers & back seven of the defense could do their job.

BTB: What is something he will need to work on?



Towle: The two things that seemed to hurt Maliek this past season was 1) a new defensive line, defensive coordinator and head coach change with the dismissal of Pelini and new Head Coach Mike Riley, and 2) no help outside, meaning teams could double team Collins and not have to worry about others around him making them pay for the double team.

B: Who do you compare his game/football potential to?


Towle: At his highest ceiling, he could be a Anthony Spencer type of player. Now, that may make some folks who cheer for the Cowboys have fits, but he's (probably) not going to be a Ndamukong Suh type of player
link/http://www.bloggingtheboys.com/2016...lking-with-corn-nation-about-third-round-pick

 

[waving monkey]

highest ceiling, he could be a Anthony Spencer type of player

I found this a little under whelming though Spencer certainly wasn't a bad player.
Almost there

 

[Direwolf63]

Strange comparison. Collins is a 3 tech DT. Spencer never played the position. Thats like saying Emmitt Smith's highest ceiling is Moose Johnson.

 

[JBS]

Really poor comparison

But 8 or so sacks...heck yeah I'll take that from Collins

 

[brymatt94]

highest ceiling, he could be a Anthony Spencer type of player

I found this a little under whelming though Spencer certainly wasn't a bad player.
Almost there

Above average, I'd say. I mean he made a Pro Bowl but he also had Ware.

 

[coult44]

When the Dallas Cowboys drafted Maliek Collins in the third round of the 2016 NFL Draft, it was seen as a bit of a surprise. After all, Andrew Billings was on the board and many draft experts had him over the Collins. However, the Cowboys fell in love with Collins because he fits perfectly into their plans at defensive tackle position. He's an athletic freak who is versatile in the middle. Let's learn a little more about Collins by talking with Brian Towle at SB Nation blog Corn Nation.

BTB: What are some specific things you know about Maliek?




Towle: Maliek came to the Huskers from Center High School in Kansas City, where he was more seen as a regional recruit. Nebraska got him over teams like Kansas, Iowa State, Iowa, Missouri and Tulsa among others. He quickly became a guy that Nebraska and former defensive line coach Rich Kaczenski loved in that he would be able to take advantage of one-on-one matchups in the middle.

BTB: What is Maliek's biggest strength?



Towle: Mentioned above, he's at his best when he's able to do a 3-technique in the middle of the line. Under former Nebraska head coach Bo Pelini, Collins and the rest of the defensive tackles were instructed to keep quarterbacks in front of them, just making sure that the pass rushers & back seven of the defense could do their job.

BTB: What is something he will need to work on?



Towle: The two things that seemed to hurt Maliek this past season was 1) a new defensive line, defensive coordinator and head coach change with the dismissal of Pelini and new Head Coach Mike Riley, and 2) no help outside, meaning teams could double team Collins and not have to worry about others around him making them pay for the double team.

B: Who do you compare his game/football potential to?


Towle: At his highest ceiling, he could be a Anthony Spencer type of player. Now, that may make some folks who cheer for the Cowboys have fits, but he's (probably) not going to be a Ndamukong Suh type of player
link/http://www.bloggingtheboys.com/2016...lking-with-corn-nation-about-third-round-pick

I wonder if he thought nobody was gonna read this article. Did anyone else find it odd that he said that Collins best spot was the 3 tech., and then he compared him to Anthony Spencer. WTH. Does someone know if Spencer had a secret career somewhere and played the 3 someplace else? I'm completely confused.

 

[darthseinfeld]

I wonder if he thought nobody was gonna read this article. Did anyone else find it odd that he said that Collins best spot was the 3 tech., and then he compared him to Anthony Spencer. WTH. Does someone know if Spencer had a secret career somewhere and played the 3 someplace else? I'm completely confused.

Hes just a fan really. Not an actual write. Just an SB nation blogger and they really aren't any different then run of the mill forum posters.

I dont think his comparison was meant to compare them as players. I think he was trying to tell the Cowboys that Collins may be more of an Almost Anthony type

 

[jobberone]

Strange comparison. Collins is a 3 tech DT. Spencer never played the position. Thats like saying Emmitt Smith's highest ceiling is Moose Johnson.

My guess is that meant the type of player not the type and position ie, a solid steady performer who won't normally be in the All Pro discussion at any level.

 

[Zekeats]

The last line about Spencer threw out all credibility. NNNNEXT!!!!

 

[Knotamus]

Yeah, didn't really get much from this article, but I read it nonetheless. The Spencer comparison is strange, I'll assume he meant Collins can be an above average player, but not the centerpiece, more the complimentary. On the other hand, I'm not putting too much stock into this story.

Oh, and second note: I always hated the "Almost Anthony" comments. Spencer did a hell of a job for us and was under appreciated. It's kinda hard to shine when you have a future HOF in Ware opposite of you. As a matter of fact..I'd love to have "2012 Spencer " on the team right now.

 

[boysfanindc]

He later admitted he had his comparison wrong and that he meant to compare him to Dan Bailey.

So all good now.

 

[USMarineVet]

Spencer was drafted in the 1st who panned out to be more of a 3rd round talent. Collins, drafted in the 3rd who may turn out to be more of a 1st round talent? I'll take that comparison!