Jacksonville Jaguars draft: Zaven Collins could solidify linebacker corps

The Jacksonville Jaguars need to bolster their linebacker corps.

The Jacksonville Jaguars are currently 1-13 and although there are many reasons for their abysmal record, their inability to stop opposing offenses from scoring points standouts. In the offseason, they will have to make many upgrades and bring in a new batch of playmakers. Thus, they should consider drafting Tulsa linebacker Zaven Collins.

The junior won the Bronko Nagurski Trophy in a season in which he logged  54 total tackles (7.5 for a loss), four sacks, and four interceptions. Collins has an ample skill set, he can rush the passer, drop in coverage, and play the run well. In fact, he’s earned a 91.1 Pro Football Focus grade in 2020.

Would it make sense for the Jacksonville Jaguars to draft Zaven Collins?

The Jaguars have a couple of studs in Myles Jack and Joe Schobert, whom they signed this offseason. However, they need to solidify their linebacker corps by adding another playmaker. While their defense likes to heavily employ the nickel formation, they need a third linebacker that can stay on the field for all three downs, and Collins has the kind of versatility that allows him to rush the quarterback on one play and defend the pass on the next one.

Collins is one of the top linebacker prospects in 2021’s draft and could go as high as the first round. Nevertheless, he will likely get his name called in the second round, where the Jaguars could target him. They have two second-round selections, their own and the one they got when they traded defensive end Yannick Ngakoue to the Minnesota Vikings earlier this year. Depending on how the draft unfolds, they could use their first one, the 33rd overall to secure Collins.

This Jacksonville team could devote their first-round selections to fortify their offense and their second-round picks on defensive players, they take that approach, they should definitely target Collins.