Maliek Collins

Maliek Collins Player Profile

Summary

Maliek Collins was drafted in the 2016 NFL Draft, Round 3, (pick 67) out of Nebraska. Collins is a highly effective interior defensive lineman whose game centers on disruption, penetration and movement. He’s built for the modern NFL where interior pressure matters almost as much as edge rushers. His strong hand usage, burst off the snap, and ability to win one‑on‑one matchups make him a valuable asset for a front seeking to attack rather than simply occupy space.

That said, his profile doesn’t lean toward being a dominating plug‑and‑play two‑gap nose tackle in heavy power run schemes; his best contributions tend to come when he’s allowed to get upfield, use his quickness and be part of a rotation. In the right defensive scheme that values interior chaos, his impact can be significant. In more traditional, gap‑control heavy fronts, he may be somewhat limited.

Strengths

  • Interior pass‑rush disruptor: Collins is notably effective at penetrating the backfield from a three‑tech or one‑gap role. According to PFF, he ranked among the top interior defensive linemen in pass‑rush grades early in his career. PFF

  • Hands, leverage & quickness off the snap: His wrestling background shows up in his hand usage, ability to get under pads, and leverage. For example, in 2025, he’s been recognized by peers as one of the hardest interior defenders to block. Dawgs By Nature

  • Versatility and scheme fit: Although somewhat undersized for a true nose tackle, his athleticism allows him to line up in different interior alignments and even outside the guard at times, giving defensive coordinators flexibility. Dawgs By Nature

  • Production & durability: Over his career he has accumulated over 30 sacks and appeared in well over 100 games. Cleveland Browns

Weaknesses

  • Run‑defense anchor / two‑gap ability: Early scouting reports flagged that while great as a penetrator, Collins lacked the base strength and play consistency to dominate as a two‑gap run stopper or to hold his ground when blocked. NFL Mocks

  • Consistency and finishing plays: Some reports note he has the tools but doesn’t always consistently finish plays — when blocked, he can be moved or lose momentum. PFF

  • Size relative to role: At 6′2″ and ~310 lbs, he is somewhat smaller compared to prototypical interior linemen who occupy double‑teams and anchor gaps; this can lead to fewer snaps in certain heavy‑run or base formations. NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth

  • Tool‑set breadth for elite pass‑rush inside: While strong in one‑gap penetration, some evaluations suggest he doesn’t have the full arsenal of moves or elite explosion compared to the top tier of interior pass‑rushers. NFL Mocks

Fit & Outlook

  • Fit:

  • Ideal for defenses that run a 4‑3 base or 4‑3 variant emphasizing one‑gap sets and interior pass rush.

  • Less optimal when asked to play every down in heavy run‑down packages as a pure space‑eater or blocker‑occupier.

  • A good fit in rotations where his athleticism can be maximized without over‑taxing his size or requiring constant double‑team dominance.

  • Projection:

  • In Cleveland’s 2025 setup, he is poised to be a significant contributor, especially in pass‑rush situations, lining up inside and exploiting matchups. Dawgs By Nature

  • If he maintains health and his motor remains high, he has the potential to be a top‑interior disruptor.

  • The main risk: diminishing returns in run‑heavy snaps, or decline in quickness/explosion with advancing career; his production must remain consistent to avoid regression.