Hogs in the NFL Combine: Grades and Analysis

Alex Collins

Grade: C-

The more grades I give out makes me think I’m my 10th grade biology teacher (you know who you are). I know I’m harsh, y’all, it hurts me more than it hurts you.

Alex Collins had the biggest weight on his shoulders. Being consistently looked at as the second or third best running back in the draft, Collins had something to prove. A decent performance at the combine would not only mean a chance to become the best running back in the draft, but being a first or second round pick.

Unfortunately the hopes of Collins being the first running back picked in the draft are slim to none at this point. The 5-10 217 pound former Hog did not fare too well in the NFL combine. His issues were just a continuation of the other player’s problems, not getting in the upper half. At the bench press Collins finished 15th out of 25 (18 reps). A 4.59 forty yard time put him at 15th out of 18.

Worst of all, he finished last in the vertical jump (28.5 inches).

With these very low rankings, you have to wonder, what the heck was wrong? We have all these talented players and they can’t live up to any of the expectations that experts and fans have given them. Collins was already heavily criticized for leaving the Razorbacks early to go to the NFL. Now his underperforming at the combine makes you wonder if he really was ready.

In my opinion, he definitely was ready. The combine just didn’t show us that. I still expect great things from Collins when he gets drafted in April. Because a combine will never take away from what Collins has done for the Arkansas Razorbacks and the talent he has. Alex is known for his football IQ and his ability to cut up the field. Those skills are never presented in the combine, which is why Collins didn’t stand out. But as far as combine performance, that’s the grade he was given.

Whichever team chooses him at the draft, there is no doubt in my mind that he will make an impact.

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