Atlanta Falcons select CB Jalen Collins, Blogging Dirty writers react

The Atlanta Falcons knew they needed to address the defense coming into the draft, and have gone a long way to doing so with their first two picks. With the 42nd overall pick the Falcons selected CB Jalen Collins from LSU, and our staff writers weigh in on the pick.

Harrison Nayler: For the second straight round, the board fell exactly as the Falcons would have wanted. Coach Quinn has been preaching ‘fast’ and ‘physical’ and Jalen Collins is the embodiment of that. After years of turnover at the position, the CB group of Trufant, Alford and now Collins is easily in the top 10 of the league. Collins should start outside, allowing Alford to move into the nickel role. This pick also helps address the safety position in a way, as it makes it more likely that Dezmen Southward stays at safety full time, amid rumors of him being cross trained at CB. Great player, great value, excellent pick.

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Kevin Knight: This is a good pick that could become a great pick. Collins is exactly the type of player that Dan Quinn over: a tall, physical defensive back with insane speed, I had Collins as the #2 CB in this draft. He’s great value in the second round. The Falcons have the making of a potentially great secondary.

Tyler Back: Great value pick in the second round. Dan Quinn gets the big corner that his scheme demands, and doesn’t have to give up any other picks to get him. The Falcons are now absolutely loaded at the cornerback position.

Adnan Ikic: Falcons take a big, long, fast CB who will come in and start opposite Trufant from day one. With all of the big wide receivers in the NFC South, this was a necessary pick. Alford can move to the nickel, and Atlanta will have one of the best CB corps in the NFL. This defense will make strides under Quinn.

Sunny Minhas:

The Falcons stabilise the CB group with this pick and Dan Quinn continues to make his mark as the Falcons’ head coach. Collins is exactly the type of cornerback he looks for, with plus height and arm length but what makes him a top talent is his unusual quickness and recovery speed for a CB of his size. His long arms and strength allows him to bully receivers on the line which makes him an ideal fit in a press man scheme such as the one the Falcons will be running. This pick gives the Falcons a strong looking trio as they enter the new season.

Freddie Boston:

Jalen Collins will be a great addition to the Atlanta Falcons’ secondary. With Vic Beasley drafted yesterday to improve the pass rush, GM Thomas Dimitroff now turns to the defensive backfield with Collins. He has a blend of size and speed and he has a ton of upside. He needs time to develop in Dan Quinn’s system, so don’t expect him to make a major impact right away, but the potential is certainly there. This guy can play. The concern is that Collins has only made 10 career starts, but the raw talent is there. Overall, I like this pick a lot. Collins is a first round player and the Falcons have got him in the second. Dimitroff has made a great start to the 2015 NFL Draft.