Film Breakdown: Finding Consistency Key for Seahawks DE L.J. Collier

Making his first NFL start, Collier didn't have as many chances to be involved with rushing the passer as he hoped and admitted several plays didn't go how he wanted. But the former first-round pick also flashed at times, a sign he could be on the verge on breaking out soon.

Injured early in his first NFL training camp, L.J. Collier missed the Seahawks entire preseason last August, which set him back tremendously in what proved to be a lost rookie season. 

Though the defensive end returned in time for Seattle's second regular season game in Pittsburgh, Collier wrapped up his first year with just three tackles in 11 games. He also was a healthy scratch for both of the team's playoff games, a discouraging situation for a first-round pick.

Determined to redeem himself, the former TCU standout trimmed down to 275 pounds this offseason amid quarantine for COVID-19 and arrived at camp last month leaner and in better shape. Showing well seeing snaps as a 5-tech end as well as a 3-tech defensive tackle reduced inside, he overtook Rasheem Green for a starting role entering Week 1.

During the Seahawks 38-25 season opening win over the Falcons, he logged 30 snaps at defensive end as well as defensive tackle, primarily being used on run downs in the team’s base 4-3 defense while recording one tackle and his first NFL quarterback hit against Matt Ryan.

"He had a few good rushes where he affected the quarterback," coach Pete Carroll said. "He got picked off on a run one time, something he didn't see for the first time, so he's got a lot of room to grow. But his activity was really there, his quickness was there, and the conditioning - played all game long and did a nice job, so I think it's a really good first step. I think this is like his first first step.

What happened last year, I don't think that was representative of what he's capable of doing and now we're on course with that and we're looking forward to him being really active."

Coming off a rough first season aiming to silence his doubters, how did Collier look in his first start? Check out my latest film study as I break down several run and pass plays to evaluate his performance in Atlanta.