Cleveland Browns: Making the case for Zaven Collins at No. 26

A perfect fit for the Cleveland Browns at pick 26? Zaven Collins

No, it is not too early to start covering the draft for the Cleveland Browns. While it may be too early to pin one guy the Browns should target with their first round pick, Zaven Collins would be a go-to no brainer at pick 26 if available for the Browns.

I always like to start my draft analysis and getting an idea of where the Browns should focus on improving the roster around the middle of the season, because I feel like after 8 games you can get a pretty solid idea of what areas they need major improvement. While the entire defense seemingly could use help, linebacker is one of the primary positions that could use a major boost on the Browns defense.

This year, seeing that the Browns were off to a very solid start to the season, it was pretty relaxing knowing Cleveland would not have an early pick in this years draft. The non-relaxing part? Seeing just how much help this defense actually needs. If available, Collins would be the perfect pick for the Browns at 26.

ESPN has Collins as their No. 1 outside linebacker prospect entering the 2021 draft. While it seems questionable that he would even be available at 26, a lot of way too early mock drafts say otherwise.

In 2020 at Tulsa, Collins posted 54 tackles, four interceptions, and four sacks. Collins earned Freshman All American honors in his freshman year and ended his career by claiming the trophy for best defensive player in college football. Collins can seemingly do it all not only on the field, but off of it as well. Earning multiple academic awards in high school and college, he has a great head on his shoulders.

If there is one word to describe Collins, it is versatile. Collins is at his best when he is asked to do many different things; it can be dropping back into coverage, blitzing or stuffing the run. Collins has great size, can play downhill, and is able to move from sideline to sideline pretty quick. In a division where you play Lamar Jackson twice a year, these qualities in a linebacker come at a premium.

Collins is not perfect. He is still a raw prospect and will take fine tuning in order to become a fully rounded linebacker in the league. That said, who doesn’t need work as a rookie? Being as versatile as he is at his size, his sky is the limit with the right coaching.

One of my least favorite things this season in terms of the Browns was seeing our linebackers get burned in coverage day in and day out. In watching film and highlights on Collins, his ability to cover any position for being 6-foot-4 and 260 pounds is insane. By the way; the young prospect also had the highest coverage grade by a linebacker in college football since 2014. If you haven’t seen what he’s capable of yet, finding some film to watch might be a good – and fun – idea.

Even if the Browns cannot land Collins, there is no question that they need help on defense.

However, being able to land Collins would be a solid boost that I really think has the chance to make a big difference on that side of the ball for the Browns.