New York Giants: 5 Potential Targets On Day 2 Of 2015 NFL Draft

Landon Collins, Safety, Alabama

Dec 6, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Landon Collins (26) during the 2014 SEC Championship Game against the Missouri Tigers at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Liles-USA TODAY Sports.

Collins was a projected first-round player, with some early mock drafts even considering the Giants taking him with the ninth overall pick. That would have been a major reach in the top-10, as the Giants look to have made the right decision passing on him as he is still available heading into Round 2.

Collins is the top ranked safety in the class and would be a good get for the Giants if he is available with the 40th pick. He has some play-making ability, recording 15 pass breakups with five interceptions across 23 starts with Alabama. He will sometimes struggle in coverage though, as he will sometimes misread the ball coming from the quarterback and isn’t cut out to cover slot WR constantly.

Collins can hold his own against bigger WR’s and tight ends, but where he excels is when he can trust his instincts and attack. Collins is basically an outside linebacker in the body of a safety, and would be a huge boost to the Giants run defense. He has the size to hold up in the box, and would excel near the line of scrimmage much like the Giants asked Rolle to do at times the last few seasons to help out when the linebackers were thin.

What the Giants may really like though is the contributions he makes on special teams. While at Alabama, he was a standout on kickoff coverage, something the Giants have struggled with in recent seasons. They have struggled so much in special teams, they handed out guaranteed money to players such as Jonathan Casillas because of their prowess on special teams.

If the Giants can kill two birds with one stone they will jump at the chance. They had been rumored to be looking at Collins with their first round pick, so if they can get him with their second they would have to come away very happy.

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