They are NOT kidding when they talk about the "smart, tough, reliable" method of compiling the draft board. LJ Collier is the anti-McDowell. He's a smart, high-character player with a motor that does NOT quit. He's versatile, long, and plays with a strong bully mentality. His intangibles are ideal.
The criticism comes with his body and his value. He isn't a good athlete when it comes to the timed/measured stuff. Runs a 4.9, agility drills leave something to be desired. However, you can't teach length - his 34 inch arms make him a longer prospect than his 6'2" height would have you believe. He has an excellent punch and his swim move on the interior is worrying for guards he's going to line up over.
Overall, the pick is okay. I hated it when I heard it because I would've rather taken a safety or receiver, and I think he probably would've been there at 37. LJ Collier has a high floor - he needs to work on his body composition and add some muscle to maximize his potential and if he can unlock some athleticism, he'll probably live up to his draft spot. This is a move to replace Bennett, not Clark - I suspect they're looking for Jacob Martin to step up.
