2015 NFL Combine: Offensive Lineman La'El Collins Impressing at the Combine

One of the biggest areas that the Indianapolis Colts will need to address this offseason is their offensive line.  The left side looks pretty solid, with Anthony Castonzo and Jack Mewhort seeming like long-term fixtures there, but the right side is a mess.

That's where the team might focus this offseason, and in particular the right guard position might be the focal point of an offensive line search.  That search might lead the Colts to signing a free agent or perhaps drafting a lineman, even perhaps in the first round.

One offensive lineman who a number of people have already linked to the Colts in the first round is LSU lineman La'El Collins.  Over the past few months, notable draft analysts such as ESPN's Todd McShay and Mel Kiper Jr. have had the Colts taking the lineman, as well as our own Stephen Reed.  The question emerging recently, however, is whether Collins would still be available when the Colts' 29th overall pick comes around in the Draft, and if his Combine performance is any indication, he'll be long gone before the Colts pick, because he's been impressing people at the Combine this week.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>La&#39;el Collins is by far the most athletic of the Group 1 linemen. Killing folks.</p>&mdash; Matt Miller (@nfldraftscout) <a href="https://twitter.com/nfldraftscout/status/568786203509526529">February 20, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>OL day rankings from Group 1:&#10;1. La&#39;el Collins&#10;2. Cameron Erving&#10;3. Jake Fisher&#10;4. T.J. Clemmings&#10;5. Ereck Flowers&#10;(6.) Trenton Brown</p>&mdash; RTRC (@RoadToRadioCity) <a href="https://twitter.com/RoadToRadioCity/status/568793004036759552">February 20, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>LSU OT La&#39;el Collins winning the day so far in early drills. Impressive feet...looked really good in exaggerated pass set drill.</p>&mdash; Brian Billick (@CoachBillick) <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachBillick/status/568792355060494336">February 20, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>La’El Collins killing it at drills. Worth noting that he trains with Randy Gregory so he’s well prepared for the Combine.</p>&mdash; Bryan Fischer (@BryanDFischer) <a href="https://twitter.com/BryanDFischer/status/568791265493397504">February 20, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Really impressed by LSU OT La El Collins...moving with ease.</p>&mdash; Daniel Jeremiah (@MoveTheSticks) <a href="https://twitter.com/MoveTheSticks/status/568785036301901824">February 20, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Collins, whose favorite spot is tackle because he loves "being out there on the island," said this week that he doesn't have a preference about which side of the line.  Furthermore, he added that he can play either tackle or guard depending on what teams want. "[Teams have] asked me if I could slide to the right side and then in two years, go to the left. I feel very confident in what I do, so it wouldn't be a problem.  They've asked me about playing guard and I could play either spot, right or left side.  I love the one-on-one matchups.  Being out there, one-on-one with a guy and having my way with him."

If he were to end up in Indianapolis, it's likely he would start off at right guard and then, with the contract of Gosder Cherilus escalating greatly in future years, perhaps sliding over to right tackle after a year.  Either way, he has that versatility that Ryan Grigson likes in offensive linemen, and Collins has really been impressing recently.  He might not be available when the Colts pick 29th overall, but it's pretty certain that the team at least has their eyes on the lineman from LSU.