Prospects eligible for the 2015 NFL Draft are visiting franchises all across the country, and no one visit in particular indicates where a player will land. But when a team hosts a talen that fits perfectly, we can’t help but notice.
Such is the case with former LSU offensive lineman La’El Collins, who the Miami Dolphins are set to host next week, according to Omar Kelly of the South Florida Sun Sentinel.
Collins, a decorated collegiate performer, stands 6’4″ and weighs 305 pounds. Though he played left tackle at LSU for two seasons, an NFL team may select Collins in the first round with the intention of using him as a guard.
And man, do the Dolphins need one of those.
Currently, Miami is projected to start Dallas Thomas and Billy Turner on either side of center, while utilityman Jason Fox is essentially the lone reserve. Long story short: that’s not a great forecast.
According to Pro Football Focus (subscription required), Thomas recorded a negative-32.7 rating, one of the worst marks in the entire league. Turner logged just 17 snaps, and Fox posted a negative-7.2 clip.
Collins, on the other hand, displayed elite run-blocking skills for the run-focused Tigers’ offense. He earned the Jacobs Blocking Trophy, an award given to a respective conference’s best O-lineman, and is well worth a first-round pick.
The Dolphins hold the No. 14 overall selection in the draft, where they’re likely to considering taking a wide receiver. However, Kenny Stills and Jarvis Landry form a respectable starting duo, and the amount of talent at that position in this draft is remarkable. Miami can safely hold off on a wideout until Round 2.
But without a third-round pick—the cost of acquiring Stills from the New Orleans Saints—the Dolphins cannot hold out for mid-round lineman talent and must snatch Collins if he’s available at 14.
Ryan Tannehill’s future health will thank them.
Photo: USA Today Sports