Maliek Collins on the Verge of a Breakout Season

Maliek Collins has never lacked any ability on the field just the ability to stay on it. Foot and knee injuries have always seemed to get in the way when he’s been on the brink of reaching his potential.

2019 is a contract year for Collins which means it’s the most critical season of his young career. He hasn’t wasted any time, though, showing what he’s capable of when he doesn’t have any physical limitations.

Would you look at that, Maliek Collins blows up the play and Dak has to toss it.

96 is showing out 👀 pic.twitter.com/odLc0LJE5G

— David Helman (@davidhelman_) August 8, 2019

https://twitter.com/JohnOwning/status/1161060473535520768?s=19

In the first video above, Collins gets a great burst off the line of scrimmage while he simultaneously gets his hands on Connor Williams first. He controls and pushes him right into Dak Prescott’s face, forcing a throw out of bounds. On the next video, he again explodes off the ball and uses a great swim move to beat Williams again in 2 on 2 drills.

His dominance hasn’t been limited to training camp practice, however, as evident in his performance this past Saturday in albeit a short amount of action.

These next two plays stand out for me specifically. In the first, he uses a very physical spin move that knocks the left guard off balance and puts him right in the quarterback’s face. In a league that focuses on quarterbacks getting the ball out quickly, the sooner you can provide pressure from the interior the harder it is for a quarterback to stay in the pocket and throw effectively. In the next play, he utilizes a swim move after a quick jump off the line and is right in the face of the runner as he and Jaylon Smith combine for a TFL (tackle for loss).

Beautiful TFL for Maliek Collins. Swims inside the LG on the zone concept to get penetration. Quickly flattens, latches onto Henderson's jersey and drags him to the ground. Outstanding grip strength #Cowboys. pic.twitter.com/6ZnpKSVsRv

— John Owning (@JohnOwning) August 18, 2019

Collins performing at a high level in 2019 doesn’t just benefit him but also rookie Defensive Tackle Trysten Hill. While he’s still acquiring the tools needed for the pro level under the guidance of Defensive Coordinator Rod Marinelli he can watch and learn from Collins as he’ll be right behind him as the team’s backup 3-technique defensive tackle. Hill is probably still a year away from being a big contributor with Collins looking so refreshed and healthy so this is a great time to gain all the knowledge he can from a veteran. If that learning process comes along quickly, the Cowboys will have a very solid one-two punch alongside Antwaun Woods, the starter at the 1-technique.

Health, at least so far, seems to be on the side of Maliek Collins heading into the 2019 season, which is all he’s ever lacked. Motivated by the opportunity to maximize his dollars for 2020, and a rookie being drafted at the same position, I look for Collins to not only have a breakout year but one that could garner a pro bowl nod, or at least be heavy in the conversation, which would mean great things for the Cowboys defensive front.