At the start of Falcons camp I cast doubt on the notion , expressed by Sam Monson of Pro Football Focus, that Falcons cornerback Jalen Collins would push Robert Alford for a starting spot. "Collins still has to show he can be reliable" is what I wrote, and now Collins has shown (again) that he is not.
The NFL suspended Collins 10 games for his second violation of its performance-enhancing drug policy. That essentially means a lost season for Collins. The Falcons can't give him a prominent role when (if?) he returns to the active roster. The Falcons are left in a tough position because Collins isn't dependable but they certainly could use him.
Falcons loyalists may tend to shrug off the Collins suspension but the team is thin (again) at cornerback, a position I thought they needed to shore up after last season . Dan Quinn said he wanted more speed and depth in the secondary this season and anyone who watched the Super Bowl gets that. The Patriots repeatedly targeted Brian Poole and C.J. Goodwin during the comeback/meltdown (and Collins didn't fare much better outside).
Now Poole is the No. 3 cornerback again with Goodwin behind him. The Falcons needed at least one more good cover guy for 2017 and now they are down one. PFF rated the Falcons' secondary fifth-best in the league largely because Collins improved so much last season; without him there are big question marks about the depth.
Collins is the biggest draft mistake in the Quinn/Thomas Dimitroff era. The Falcons can’t count on Collins, and it's doubtful they could get much of value in trade for him. Which team would give up real assets for a largely-unproven player who is one failed PED test away from a two-year ban? Any team that wants Collins could just wait for the Falcons to release him, a move that seems inevitable.
The Falcons haven’t spent many resources on cornerbacks since selecting Desmond Trufant and Robert Alford one-two in the 2013 draft. They haven't spent significant money on any free agents. They’ve drafted two defensive backs in the first three rounds since then: Dez Southward (third round, 2014) and Collins (second round, 2015). Southward was a bust and, now, so is Collins.
Poole has played above his undrafted pedigree and maybe he will continue to do so. But, even if he does, the Falcons need another cover corner in today’s spread-‘em-out, pass-happy league. The Falcons' record-setting offense is intact (sans the coordinator) but some regression is inevitable. The defense needs to carry more weight and, barring a significant trade, it will have to do so with a thin group of cornerbacks.
Every team has a weakness, and cornerback is it for the Falcons. The salary cap and free agency make it difficult for any good NFL team to have it all. Drafting well is the best way to slow the talent drain because top prospects are relatively cheaper, their development can be controlled, and they tend to be healthier.
Quinn/Dimitroff have fared well in the draft overall. But I think their big mistake with Collins will cost them.
Related headlines
About the Author
