Chicago Bears Draft 2015: Top Safety Targets

Credit: Thomas Campbell-USA TODAY Sports

Landon Collins (6-foot-0, 222 pounds), Alabama

Landon Collins is the top prize among the safeties. He is a well-built athlete with light feet and loose hips. He is able to change directions quickly. He has good footwork and quickness so he could line up in man or zone coverage.

Collins is best when he is running downhill against the run game. He is an excellent tackler, and he loves to rip the ball off ball carriers.

Collins’ hands are not as good as one would expect. He has dropped interceptions over his career. He also has average speed. He needs to improve in pass coverage.

Collins loves going against the run so much he sometimes gets caught peeking into the backfield too much and then getting caught by the pass. He also needs to improve his route recognition.

Collins will do well in the NFL against the running game. His great tackling, pursuit angles and speed to the sidelines will help him be a terror. His troubles and inconsistencies in pass coverage will be tested in a pass happy NFL. He better work on that or he will be out of the league pretty quickly.

Collins was originally projected to go to the Bears at seven, but after watching more of his game films, most mocks have him falling down to the middle of the first round.

I think taking a safety in the first might be a reach. As Pace indicated, analyzing instincts is difficult, and the safety position is instinctual. The Bears may go after a safety in later rounds, but for a starter-type safety, they may be better off looking into the free agency pool instead.

Next: Chicago Bears 2015 Draft: Top Defensive Tackles To Target