The Baltimore Ravens’ offseason took a turn when defensive tackle Michael Pierce announced his retirement. After losing depth in free agency, the loss of Pierce adds another need for Baltimore, as we move closer to the 2025 NFL Draft. Without the former Samford product, the Ravens lack an extra layer of run defense that Pierce seamlessly provided in his tenure on the defensive front.
Thankfully for the Ravens, this upcoming draft class offers a ton of talent on the defensive line, especially at defensive tackle. While they may not address the need on night one and could miss out on Derrick Harmon, Walter Nolen, and Darius Alexander, there’s enough depth at the position.
Baltimore has had a knack for hitting on later picks at defensive tackle in their history. In 2020, they selected Nnamdi Madubuike with the 71st pick, and in 2013 they selected future pro-bowler Brandon Williams at No. 94. They even signed Pierce as an undrafted free agent in 2016. With this track record, the Ravens could find another draft day steal on day two or three, and that steal could be Texas’ defensive tackle Alfred Collins.
Texas DT Alfred Collins 2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report
Notes
Height: 6-foot-5 - --Weight: 320 pounds
Arms: 34 5/8 inches
Recruiting: 2020 5-star, No. 32 national, No. 2 strong-side defensive end
Positives
- Outstanding size with strong hands
- High motor matched with great play awareness and eye balance
- Instincts against the run, crashes run lanes at the perfect time
- Elite balance, can anchor and won’t get leveraged out of plays
Collins can instantly reinforce any defensive front with his elite size and strength. His high motor will make him a coach’s favorite and allow room for improvement as he adjusts to the NFL level.
His tape shows a player who could quickly become a natural run-stopper in the league. He quickly diagnoses run plays and wraps up ball carriers with ease, limiting yardage past the line of scrimmage. His size and lateral quickness also offer an easy ability to close lanes. He seems to be easily coachable, which should boost his draft stock.
Negatives
- Stiff through his rush and doesn’t have much bend
- Hands and shed ability lack quickness
- Raw as a pass rusher
- 23 years old, will turn 24 early next season
Collins was buried on the depth chart at Texas with players like Byron Murphy, T’Vondre Sweat, Kevondre Coburn, and Moro Ojomo drafted in recent years. Now, he finally declared for the draft after his fifth year, making him 23 on draft night.
For an older prospect, Collins’ lack of development as a pass rusher could raise concerns. There’s a lack of quickness and bend to his game, slowing his rush. The hands will need to be quicker if he wants a chance at becoming an effective pass rusher. He can also play at a high pad level, making him an easy target for opposing offensive linemen.
Alfred Collins NFL Comparison: DaQuan Jones
Primary Comp: DaQuan Jones
Floor Comp: Phidarian Mathis
Like DaQuan Jones, Collins possesses a powerful frame that he uses to easily dictate blocks at the line of scrimmage and dominate the run game. He also has similar lateral quickness that allows him to beat guards to the spot and clog lanes.
For his floor comp, Collins and Mathis are eerily similar players due to their measurables to athletic limitations. In college, both proved that they could anchor a defensive line and trouble offensive linemen with their long arms and strong hands. While Mathis has struggled to catch on at the NFL level, Collins has the potential to be a force in the trenches for years to come.
Alfred Collins 2025 NFL Draft Grade: 3rd Round
In a stacked defensive line class, Collins could take a bit of a tumble. However, his talent and traits showcase a player worth a middle to late third-round pick. Worries about his age and lack of athleticism could cause him to slip into day three of the draft, but the tape he turned in during his Texas tenure, especially his 2024 campaign, is a player worth a third-round pick.