The Atlanta Falcons cornerback underwhelmed as a rookie, and frustrations grew when he was slapped with a four-game suspension to start the 2016 season for violating the NFL policy on performance enhancing substances.
Selected in the second round of last year’s draft, Collins was expected to come in and compete for a starting job on the outside of Dan Quinn’s defense opposite Desmond Trufant. A slow start to life in the NFL put him immediately behind the eight ball, and it ended as a frustrating rookie campaign for Collins.
It can take time for a young player, particularly at a position like cornerback, to fully adapt to NFL life.