New York Giants: Where did Landon Collins rank in the NFL Top 100?
New York Giants safety Landon Collins was one of the most dominant defensive players in the NFL in 2016. Find out where he ranks in the NFL Top 100.
The New York Giants are coming off of a resurgent season in every sense of the word. Steve Spagnuolo’s defense returned to form, the Giants made it back to the playoffs, and order was restored in the New York sports world.
One of the primary reasons for the Giants’ resurgent success during the 2017 season was the arrival of superstar safety Landon Collins.
Collins was selected at No. 33 overall in the 2015 NFL Draft. He was viewed as a potential bust of a prospect due to his linebacker skills and safety build, and his rookie season did little to disprove that theory.
Collins made an unexpected leap into the ranks of the elite during the 2016 season, however, and his peers honored him for it with a Top 30 ranking on the NFL Top 100.
The players have spoken. Of the top 100 players in the NFL, Landon Collins ranks 28th. #BuiltByBama #rolltide pic.twitter.com/Ga9JTbAZOI
— Alabama Football (@AlabamaFTBL) June 13, 2017
There’s no rational way around how deserving Collins is of the distinction of being one of the Top 100 players in the NFL.
Collins finished the 2016 season with 125 combined tackles, including 100 solo and 4.0 sacks. He added five interceptions, a fumble recovery, a defensive touchdown, and 13 passes defended to his legendary tally.
It’s hardly surprising that his all-time production has garnered comparisons to the likes of Ed Reed and Troy Polamalu.
It’s also earned Collins the respect of his peers, as evidenced by his status as a Top 30 player.
Collins was honored as a first team All-Pro and a Pro Bowl selection for his breakout campaign. The expectations will be even higher in 2017, however, and that makes this ranking just as much of a burden as it is a blessing.
As the Giants pursue a fifth Lombardy Trophy, the coaching staff will look to Collins for another season that’s worthy of being named Defensive Player of the Year.
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Fair or foul, greatness breeds expectations, and the standards have been set high for New York Giants safety Landon Collins.