ESPN NFL draft analyst Todd McShay has been high on former Michigan receiver Nico Collins for years.
Even though Collins sat out the 2020 season, McShay is still intrigued by the 6-foot-4 wideout ahead of the 2021 NFL Draft, which takes place April 29-May 1.
“I’ve always liked this guy,” McShay said on a conference call with reporters Monday. “I did a couple Michigan games, I think two years ago, as the sideline analyst. He didn’t have great quarterback play and he wasn’t always utilized properly, but he can get down the field and accelerate so quickly for a receiver with his size. He’s big; he’s fast. He’s not a great route runner in terms of like getting in and out of breaks, but as a vertical route runner, he’s a guy who can stretch the field and put a lot of pressure on defenses.”
As a junior in 2019, Collins totaled 37 receptions for 729 yards, with his 19.7 yards per catch ranking among the top 20 nationally. The former four-star prospect from Alabama also proved to be a weapon in the red zone his last two seasons, combining for 13 touchdowns.
While Collins wasn’t able to add any game tape in 2020, he did participate in the Senior Bowl in January. He also tested well at Michigan’s pro day March 26. According to Michigan, he ran a 4.43-second 40-yard dash and had a vertical jump of 37 ½ inches.
McShay did not include Collins in his two-round mock draft released Thursday but said his size and speed could make him a wildcard.
“I’ve talked to some teams that have him as a day three pick,” McShay said. “I think he belongs somewhere in that probably third-round range but maybe even second, because we just don’t get as many guys that are -- What is he? Six-4, over 200 pounds and can run in the lower 4.4s and accelerate quickly. That’s the difference between him and some of the other bigger receivers in this class. He gets to top speed in a hurry and he tracks the ball vertically very well. He sees it, he knows when to turn his head and he can adjust to it because he has really good body control.”