Oakland Raiders: Top 10 draft running backs
By Austin Gayle
Alex Collins, Arkansas
After starting all three years with Arkansas, running back Alex Collins has cemented himself as a consistent, powerful runner with surprising elusiveness in space. At 5’10”, 217 pounds, Collins possesses a compact frame that allows him to bully his way though contact when he lowers his shoulder, but he has also had some success when he keeps his head up and sidesteps away from lunging tacklers.
Like most power backs, Collins doesn’t have great top-speed. Also, he has traditionally struggled to make an impact as a pass-catcher out of the backfield. Though he is willing to throw a shoulder into oncoming edge-rushers, Collins has yet to develop his technique in pass protection.
At Arkansas, Collins accumulated a career-high 1,577 yards and 20 touchdowns on just 271 carries in 2015.
Though he is a bully-type runner, Collins will need to continue to work on his craft before he becomes a tackle breaker rather than a pile mover at the next level, but his established consistency and Pro-ready vision should keep him from staying on the board past round three.