April 15th, 2010 
Jesse Bartolis 
Posted in Up next is my FAVORITE late round pick consideration.
Leave a comment and let me know what you guys think of, the underrated Nate Collins (who did meet with the Giants by the way)
taken from: http://www.thesabre.com/edge/images/2009/football/duke_collins001b.jpg
Measurables:
Born: 12/14/1987.
Senior.
6’2” 290 pounds.
Stats (espn.com)
77 tackles! 10.5 tackles for loss, six sacks and an INT
Big Games:
10 @ Southern Miss
VS TCS 5 tackles and a sack
@ Maryland 9 tackles and a sack and an INT
vs Georgia Tech 16 tackles
vs Duke 10 tackles, 2 sacks
Vs Virgina Tech 7
Scouting Reports
National Football Post
A powerful defensive lineman who showcases good flexibility out of his stance, Collins can fire off the ball inside. He plays the five-technique in Virginia’s 3-4 defense and generates power on contact and finds the ball inside. He has the lower body strength to hold the point of attack but is sudden enough to slip blocks inside. He closes quickly on the ball down the line and does a good job finding off-blocks in pursuit. He possesses a powerful set of hands and is violent yet smooth when shedding blocks. Collins plays with an impressive blend of balance, body control and power and can consistently push the pocket and disengage from blocks in both the run and pass game. But he lacks ideal speed when asked to rush off the edge. The more space he plays in, the less effective he is. Yet he looks like a guy who can make the transition inside to tackle and develop into a rotational lineman.
CBS NFL Draft Scout
Pass rush: Good initial burst to slip through gaps and create havoc before the play has really begun. Uses his hands well to slap away the blocker’s attempts to control him. Active feet. Constantly bouncing from side to side to counter the blocker’s attempts and get his opponent off balance. Good acceleration through the gap once he has one. Has a late burst to close. Good use of upper-body strength, leg drive and his natural leverage for the bull rush, but his best pass-rush technique is a swim move. Lacks the height to consistently disrupt passing lanes. Active defender used on loops and stunts to help create pressure.
Run defense: Relies on his natural leverage advantage to hold up at the point of attack. Good initial pop to disengage quickly and has the quick hands and feet to counter and ultimately break free when initially stopped. Aggressive defender that steps into the hole and attacks the ball-carrier. Good effort in lateral pursuit, though he tires quickly once past the line of scrimmage. Has seen action at nose guard and defensive tackle in Virginia’s 3-4 scheme, but lacks the bulk most teams prefer as a zero-technique in the NFL.
Explosion: Good initial burst, especially laterally, to slide through gaps. Flashes an explosive pop with his hands to slap away the blocker’s attempts at controlling him. Arrives with a thud as a hitter.
Strength: Good use of leverage inside to hold up at the point. Lacks the bulk and strength to hold up consistently against the double-team, but is quick and active enough to split them on occasion. Good strength to slide off blocks and take down the ballcarrier.
Tackling: Despite lack of height, locates the ball quickly and works his way toward the action. Able to slide off blocks and drag ballcarrier to the ground. Stays square when not engaged by a blocker and is generally able to make the one on one tackle in tight quarters. Good drag-down tackler in pursuit. Arrives with a thump and wraps securely to make the stop.
Intangibles: A key reserve bef0re his breakout senior campaign. High effort player who was alternated between end (3-4) and nose guard as a senior. Plays with his emotions on his sleeve. Voted team captain despite 2009 being his first season as a full-time starter.
Bartolis Summary and Final Verdict
From the National Football Post
Collins told us that head coach Tom Coughlin put him through some linebacker drills towards the end of the workout.
I’m suprised that Collins isn’t getting more love from the draftnik community. Do you see the stats 77 tackles, 6 sacks playing as the NOSE IN A 3-4. That’s super impressive. And it’s not like Collins played at a division 3 school or a JUCO School. He played in a legetimate conference vs some good competition, 16 tackles vs Georgia Tech.
He’s explosive off the ball, he’s strong, he’s super productive. He’s considered short, but he’s not THAT undersized for a 4-3 inside defensive tackle.
I am VERY in favor or draftin Nate Collins at some point in the draft. He reminds me a lot of Jay Rafliff, the one he dominated a game from the Nose tackle position in a 3-4 and the way he fires off the ball. Will he be that caliber player in the N.F.L. I’m not sure he’ll be that good, but he’s more than worthy of a late round flier.
Previous Profiles
DT/NT Dan Williams (Updated with K.C. Joyner’s Draft Lab 2/7)
DT Jared Odrick
OT Anthony Davis (UPDATED 2/5/10)
ILB Brandon Spikes
ILB Rolando McClain
What do you guys think of Nate Collins? What round would you consider him in?
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