Steelers sign OT Aviante Collins to Reserve/Future contract

[pczach]

The Steelers sign an offensive tackle to a Reserve/Future contract

Dave Schofield

The Pittsburgh Steelers continue to build their offseason roster as they announced on Tuesday they have signed offensive tackle Aviante Collins to a Reserve/Future contract.

Collins was undrafted out of TCU in 2017 and was signed by the Minnesota Vikings. Appearing in three games his rookie season, Collins missed the 2018 season with an elbow injury. Signed to the Vikings practice squad in 2019, Colin joined the active roster in November and started their Week 17 game, his only NFL start of his career. Collins was once again on the practice squad of the Vikings in 2020 and was elevated for one game in Week 11 against the Dallas Cowboys.

The Steelers only have one offensive tackle from their 53-man roster who is under contract for the 2021 NFL season. Chukwuma Okorafor still has another year on his rookie contract while Zach Banner, Jerald Hawkins, and Alejandro Villanueva are all set to become free agents in March.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nfl...yo4?li=BBnb7Kz

[Born2Steel]

Right tackle? Small for LT I think. Maybe move inside?

[pczach]

Right tackle? Small for LT I think. Maybe move inside?

They probably liked him when he came out and think he's worth a look.

I think they get him into camp, get a look at what he can do, and take it from there. I doubt they have him locked in anywhere positionally until they really see what he can do.

[El-Gonzo Jackson]

Right tackle? Small for LT I think. Maybe move inside?

Athletic O lineman. 6'4.25", 295Lbs,
-ran the 3rd fastest 40 of O linemen at 4.81 seconds
-Bench Press 34 reps of 225lbs
-good arm length at 33-3/8"

I think a guy that is best suited at G, but can play OT as well with athleticism and arm length. Has a bit of NFL experience. He is a Houston kid that went to TCU and I bet that Adrian Klemm tried to recruit him when he was at SMU.

[Born2Steel]

Athletic O lineman. 6'4.25", 295Lbs,
-ran the 3rd fastest 40 of O linemen at 4.81 seconds
-Bench Press 34 reps of 225lbs
-good arm length at 33-3/8"

I think a guy that is best suited at G, but can play OT as well with athleticism and arm length. Has a bit of NFL experience. He is a Houston kid that went to TCU and I bet that Adrian Klemm tried to recruit him when he was at SMU.

I saw the BP reps when I went to look him up. 34 is pretty good. Looking at the OTs in this upcoming draft most of them in the 6'4"-6'-5" range weigh in around 315-320. And some of them are being projected inside at that. I hope this doesn't mean we are losing Banner, I was hoping to get him back.

[El-Gonzo Jackson]

I saw the BP reps when I went to look him up. 34 is pretty good. Looking at the OTs in this upcoming draft most of them in the 6'4"-6'-5" range weigh in around 315-320. And some of them are being projected inside at that. I hope this doesn't mean we are losing Banner, I was hoping to get him back.

Banner had tweeted that his exit interview was the best ever, so I expect there is some mutual interest in him remaining a Steeler.

This Collins kid is just there to compete for a spot. Could mean Klemm and Canada want more athletic interior linemen, could mean he is there for OT depth and has the ability to handle speed rushers off the edge, or that they want to run more outside zone, or something else.

Right now he is just a strong, athletic O lineman with long arms and ability to play 4 of the 5 O line spots on a cheap futures contract, who will compete to make the 53. I'm not reading much more into it than that.

[Born2Steel]

Banner had tweeted that his exit interview was the best ever, so I expect there is some mutual interest in him remaining a Steeler.

This Collins kid is just there to compete for a spot. Could mean Klemm and Canada want more athletic interior linemen, could mean he is there for OT depth and has the ability to handle speed rushers off the edge, or that they want to run more outside zone, or something else.

Right now he is just a strong, athletic O lineman with long arms and ability to play 4 of the 5 O line spots on a cheap futures contract, who will compete to make the 53. I'm not reading much more into it than that.

That's the same reason I like Jalen Mayfield and Rashawn Slater in this draft. They are listed as 2 of the top OT prospects but the reports of them both is they are position flexible and play well inside or outside. I even read one that has Slater as a Center prospect. Steelers FO always goes into the draft covered positionally so Collins makes sense from that standpoint.

[El-Gonzo Jackson]

That's the same reason I like Jalen Mayfield and Rashawn Slater in this draft. They are listed as 2 of the top OT prospects but the reports of them both is they are position flexible and play well inside or outside. I even read one that has Slater as a Center prospect. Steelers FO always goes into the draft covered positionally so Collins makes sense from that standpoint.

Cool, Mayfield I know of but havent looked at Slater. Mayfield started at RT in 2019, with 4 other guys from Michigan that all got drafted last season. Then with this shortened season he only has 15 career college starts. I dont know that he is as polished or experienced at this point, but definitely a guy worth taking with the knowledge that he may need a season or 2 of coaching up before becoming a starter in the NFL.

Here is video of Collins from 2018 as the extra TE in Jumbo sets. He apparently competed for the Vikings LG spot last season but didnt get it and was on the practice squad.

[oneforthetoe]

Banner had tweeted that his exit interview was the best ever, so I expect there is some mutual interest in him remaining a Steeler.

This Collins kid is just there to compete for a spot. Could mean Klemm and Canada want more athletic interior linemen, could mean he is there for OT depth and has the ability to handle speed rushers off the edge, or that they want to run more outside zone, or something else.

Right now he is just a strong, athletic O lineman with long arms and ability to play 4 of the 5 O line spots on a cheap futures contract, who will compete to make the 53. I'm not reading much more into it than that.

Read somewhere that Klemm had a connection to Kelvin Beachum (at SMU?). I believe Kelvin is a FA. I wonder if they would consider him as a cheap veteran backup. I don't really know how Kelvin's play is in the last few years. Just a thought.

[86WARD]

Well check OT of your draft wishlist!!

[Born2Steel]

Well check OT of your draft wishlist!!

WHICH wishlist? LOL

[Fire Goodell]

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