Scouting the 2021 NFL Draft: Nico Collins, WR, Michigan

Nico Collins NFL draft

Michigan senior wide receiver, Nico Collins, opted-out of the 2020 college football season and ended his career with the Wolverines making 22 starts after joining the program as a four-star recruit out of Clay-Chalkville High School in Alabama.

Collins appeared in 12 games in 2019 and finished the season with 37 catches for 729 yards and seven scores. He was a downfield playmaker and it showed in his 19.7 yards per catch. In 2018, Collins totaled 38 catches for 632 yards and six scores. For his career, Collins recorded 78 catches for 1,388 yards and 13 scores.

Physically, Collins looks the part of a big-bodied alpha wideout. At an estimated 6-4, 222 pounds, he’ll be a handful in contested-catch situations for pro cornerbacks. He proved more than capable in this area of his game during his time at Michigan, often providing his quarterback with an open target even when he appeared covered.

Athletically, Collins moves well for a guy north of 220 pounds, but he isn’t a straight-line burner nor is he the kind of wide receiver who will dazzle after the catch. Collins reportedly ran a 4.45 40-yard dash last winter but he’ll have to prove the legitimacy of that claim at the NFL Combine. He looks more like a mid-4.5’s guy on film (which is more than adequate speed for a player with his size).

As a route-runner, Collins uses his physical profile to win against overmatched cornerbacks. He has a big stride and chews up ground in his route, but he doesn’t pack much juice or explosion in his breaks at the top of his stem. As noted above, Collins has the ability to make plays even with defenders draped over him. He was victimized by poor quarterback play in 2019 and didn’t get nearly as many opportunities to establish his ability as a playmaker, but when his number was called, he proved he can be a valuable safety valve for his quarterback (i.e., his quarterback can trust he’ll make a play regardless of the coverage).

Collins possesses good body control and quality hands. His film has plenty of examples of catches in traffic and plays along the boundary that confirms his understanding of spacing and field awareness. He has a chance to develop into a quality boundary player and red zone threat.

Overall, Collins lacks any particular special quality aside from his above-average physical make up. He’s destined for an active roster role as a pro, but he’ll need to develop as a more refined route-runner to separate himself from other big-bodied, one-dimensional receivers in the league. Size certainly matters on the next level, and Collins’ combination of size and contested-catch ability earn him a draftable grade in the middle rounds.

GRADE: 5.7 (Late-5th, early-6th)

Bryan Perez

Bryan is the founder of Pro Football Draft. His work has been featured on The Draft Network, NBC Sports and USA Today. Former CFL scout.

Follow him on Twitter: @BryanPerezNFL