For the 2015 NFL Draft, Alabama has three junior prospects that will each forego their final season of eligibility. Wide receiver Amari Cooper, running back TJ Yeldon, and safety Landon Collins declared for the draft, and all three have a legitimate shot at becoming top 50 picks.
While Amari Cooper and Landon Collins project as first round prospects, TJ Yeldon is more likely to be a day two pick. For once, Alabama head coach Nick Saban was actually a big fan of each of the three players’ decisions to go pro, so here’s a snapshot on Cooper, Collins, and Yeldon as NFL prospects.
By: Alex Brown
Amari Cooper, Alabama, WR – 1st
Stuffing stat sheets and capturing the Biletnikoff Trophy Award (given to nation’s top wide receiver), Amari Cooper is the top prospect on Alabama’s roster. While he still deals with the occasional focus drop, he developed each year after coming to Alabama as a blue-chip high school recruit. His refined skills and athletic ability warrant a top of the first round grade
As an NFL receiver, Cooper is scheme versatile and able to contribute in a number of ways. Alabama’s first-year offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin did an excellent job of showcasing Cooper’s strengths as a route runner and playmaker after the catch. Motioned into the slot and even into the backfield at times, Cooper was the centerpiece of Kiffin’s offense.
Cooper shows both the natural body control to run explosive routes and the ability to create after the catch. He understands how to adapt route concepts to the coverage in front of him and attack the defensive back’s leverage, placing opponents in recovery mode. He always plays under control and is patient to set up the route break. In terms of tracking and catching the ball, Cooper is a natural hands catcher that can pluck it away from his framework. And although Amari Cooper may lack elite size and strength, he still displays the catch strength to win at contested catch points.
With all that in mind, Cooper is far from a perfect player. He struggles versus physicality at the line of scrimmage, and tends to take the past of least resistance on comebacks, fades and other sideline-breaking patterns. This ultimately gives his quarterback a smaller window to place sideline throws. Cooper does a much better job than most young receivers at selling the initial route stem and setting up the top of the route, but will need to improve his release technique on sideline routes to be a more complete player.
Landon Collins, Alabama, S – 1st
In defensive coordinator Kirby Smart’s defense, it’s easy to see that Landon Collins is his most valuable player. He’ll play single-high, two-high, in the box or even line over the slot as a third safety. But beyond his value as a safety, Collins is a team-first player that excels on punt coverage as a gunner.
Likely to be the top rated safety in the 2015 draft class, this decision makes a ton of sense for Landon Collins. In most cases, he would be viewed as a mid-to-late first rounder; however, he could very well land a top 15 or top 20 selection in this year’s draft class. Teams will love the fact that he can contribute in a variety of roles and also help out on special teams, leading to instant impact at the next level.
As a coverage safety, his eye discipline as a deep coverage defender can be accurately described as “aggressive.” Collins follows the eyes of the quarterback and jumps early route developments. This can lead to positive plays, but he’ll have to play more disciplined in deep field coverage. In run support, he does a good job of attacking the upfield shoulder to force the football back inside. Knifing low on most of his tackles, Collins either takes the ball carrier down or allows his teammates to rally to the football.
Although he lacks the elite recovery speed to make up lost ground as a centerfield free safety, Collins does showcase the plus anticipation to be a playmaking robber safety. His immediate role at the next level will be as a strong safety on early downs and nickel safety on obvious passing situations, just as he was asked to do at Alabama.
T.J. Yeldon, Alabama, RB – 2nd-3rd
TJ Yeldon also declared early entrance into the 2015 NFL Draft after he received a second round grade from the NFL Draft Advisory Board. Yeldon is taller than ideal (6’2, 221) with a natural upright running style, but impresses with his feet and athleticism. Ankle and hamstring injuries limited his production in 2014; however, he was still able to finish fourth all-time on the Alabama Crimson Tide career-rushing list.
Very much a pick-and-slide type of runner, Yeldon maneuvers with ease and appears to be dodging traffic in rush hour. He showcases elite plant foot balance and burst at all levels of the field. Real concerns exist over ball security (10 fumbles, 7 lost in 37 games played) and his previously mentioned upright running style, but Yeldon displays the qualities of a full-service back at the next level. As far as comparisons go, think of a more explosive and coordinated Alfred Blue.
Yeldon adds to a loaded group of underclassmen running backs, but has unique talent that will lead to a day two pick. He showed the ability to pass protect and catch the football as a junior, and has experience playing behind NFL run-blocking schemes. Ideally, Yeldon goes to a team that runs zone blocking concepts to take advantage of his plus cutting ability and traffic balance.
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