Baltimore Ravens: All eyes on Alex Collins in 2018
After being scooped up as a free agent, Alex Collins broke out in a big way in 2017. Now, Ravens fans want an even better follow-up season in 2018.
After being drafted in the fifth round of the 2016 NFL Draft by the Seattle Seahawks, the team decided to quickly move on from Alex Collins after one season in Washington state. It wasn’t even a bad season for the former University of Arkansas Razorback, either. But Collins was let go on September 2, 2017 and was free to move on to greener pastures. The Baltimore Ravens scooped him up off waivers just three days later, and the rest is history.
From there, Alex Collins simply waited for an opportunity. When he was given said opportunity, he didn’t squander it. In 12 starts, Collins rushed for 973-yards and six touchdowns. Collins’ 4.6 YPC was good enough for ninth best in the league among eligible players (100+ carries). After week five, Collins was given at least ten carries for the remainder of the season, and he didn’t disappoint. So, now the stage is set and the fans have begun clamoring for encore.
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While less-than 1,000 rushing yards doesn’t sound like a high standard, it certainly becomes one when you take into account all of the factors that went into Alex Collins’ debut season in Charm City. What Collins was able to do in a frantic situation was phenomenal. He far exceeded any expectations placed upon him and provided many, especially the Ravens organization, with faith in him moving forward.
There is so much confidence in Collins, in fact, that the Ravens didn’t elect to add anyone into their running back group headed into 2018. Instead, the team has firmly placed their trust in Collins; a stressful situation to everyone except Mr. Collins, who could produce marvelous numbers and put on a show once again.
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The Ravens will need him to provide fireworks in a season that will be about discovering who is and is-not a piece worth keeping for the future of the team. Collins has a chance to become the face of the offense in the same light that his predecessors like Ray Rice and Jamal Lewis were. Collins has that ability to run (pun intended) and set the tempo for the Ravens offense.
The stars have aligned for Alex Collins to breakout in 2018. The return of guard Marshal Yanda and some help outside at receiver will give Collins room to run, while the quarterback situation will allow him to provide stability the offense. Collins could very well be in line for a big-time 2018 season, and he is certainly the most intriguing player on offense who doesn’t play quarterback.