While free agency officially begins in March, roster turnover isn't too far away. The Cowboys will indeed add and presumably release players, along with letting some go without a new contract.
However, the majority of the 2018 roster is already in place. In the coming weeks, the staff of DallasCowboys.com will preview those players, analyzing where they've been and where they're going.
Today, we continue the series with defensive tackle Maliek Collins:
Views of #96 Defensive Tackle Maliek Collins from the 2017-18 Regular Season.
Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Maliek Collins (96) rushes against New York Giants offensive tackle Ereck Flowers (74) during an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Roger Steinman)
New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning (10) scrambles out of the pocket under pressure from Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Maliek Collins (96) in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
17 September 2017: Maliek Collins (96)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their week 2 regular season 42-17 loss to the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
17 September 2017: Maliek Collins (96)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their week 2 regular season 42-17 loss to the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
17 September 2017: Maliek Collins (96)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their week 2 regular season 42-17 loss to the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
17 September 2017: Maliek Collins (96)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their week 2 regular season 42-17 loss to the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
17 September 2017: Maliek Collins (96)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their week 2 regular season 42-17 loss to the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys defensive lineman Maliek Collins (96) rests during an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos on Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017 in Denver, Colo. The Broncos won the game, 42-17. (Greg Trott via AP)
25 September 2017: Maliek Collins (96) of the Dallas Cowboys during their week 3 regular season 28-17 win over the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
25 September 2017: Maliek Collins (96) of the Dallas Cowboys during their week 3 regular season 28-17 win over the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
25 September 2017: Maliek Collins (96) of the Dallas Cowboys during their week 3 regular season 28-17 win over the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
25 September 2017: Maliek Collins (96) of the Dallas Cowboys during their week 3 regular season 28-17 win over the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
25 September 2017: Maliek Collins (96) of the Dallas Cowboys during their week 3 regular season 28-17 win over the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
25 September 2017: Maliek Collins (96) of the Dallas Cowboys during their week 3 regular season 28-17 win over the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
25 September 2017: Maliek Collins (96) of the Dallas Cowboys during their week 3 regular season 28-17 win over the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys' DeMarcus Lawrence (90), Terrance Williams (83), Ezekiel Elliott (21) and Maliek Collins (96) and Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders stand during the playing of the national anthem before an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Brian Price (92), Maliek Collins (96), DeMarcus Lawrence (90), Tyrone Crawford (98) and Kyle Wilber (51) defend against a field goal by the Los Angeles Rams during an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Roger Steinman)
01 October 2017: Maliek Collins (96)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 4 regular season 35-30 loss to the Los Angeles Rams at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
01 October 2017: Maliek Collins (96)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 4 regular season 35-30 loss to the Los Angeles Rams at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
DAL vs GB
DAL vs GB
DAL vs GB
DAL vs GB
DAL vs GB
DAL vs GB
Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Maliek Collins rushes in on defense in action during an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, Oct. 8, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. The Packers defeated the Cowboys 35-31. (G. Newman Lowrance via AP)
DAL vs GB
DAL vs GB
DAL vs GB
Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Maliek Collins (96) before the snap during an NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and the San Francisco 49ers Sunday, October 2, 2016, in Santa Clara, CA. (Tom Hauck via AP)
22 October 2017: Maliek Collins (96)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their week 7 regular season 40-10 win over the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
22 October 2017: Maliek Collins (96)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their week 7 regular season 40-10 win over the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
22 October 2017: Maliek Collins (96)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their week 7 regular season 40-10 win over the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
22 October 2017: Maliek Collins (96)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their week 7 regular season 40-10 win over the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
22 October 2017: Maliek Collins (96)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their week 7 regular season 40-10 win over the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
22 October 2017: Maliek Collins (96)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their week 7 regular season 40-10 win over the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys defensive end Taco Charlton (97), Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Maliek Collins (96) and Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Brian Price (92) during an NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys against the San Francisco 49ers in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017. (Tom Hauck via AP)
29 October 2017: Maliek Collins (96)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their week 8 regular season 33-19 win over the Washington Redskins at FedEx Field in Landover, Maryland. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
29 October 2017: Maliek Collins (96)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their week 8 regular season 33-19 win over the Washington Redskins at FedEx Field in Landover, Maryland. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
29 October 2017: Maliek Collins (96)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their week 8 regular season 33-19 win over the Washington Redskins at FedEx Field in Landover, Maryland. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
29 October 2017: Maliek Collins (96)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their week 8 regular season 33-19 win over the Washington Redskins at FedEx Field in Landover, Maryland. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
29 October 2017: Maliek Collins (96)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their week 8 regular season 33-19 win over the Washington Redskins at FedEx Field in Landover, Maryland. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
DAL Vs KC
DAL Vs KC
DAL Vs KC
DAL Vs KC
05 November 2017: Maliek Collins (96)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 9 regular season game 28-17 win over the Kansas City Chiefs at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
DAL Vs KC
DAL Vs KC
DAL Vs ATL
DAL Vs ATL
DAL Vs ATL
DAL Vs ATL
12 November 2017: Maliek Collins (96)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 10 regular season 27-7 loss to the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
12 November 2017: Maliek Collins (96)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 10 regular season 27-7 loss to the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
19 November 2017: Maliek Collins (96)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 11 regular season 37-9 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
19 November 2017: Maliek Collins (96)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 11 regular season 37-9 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Photo by Sam Smith/Dallas Cowboys
Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Nate Gerry (47) and Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Maliek Collins (96) sign jerseys to each other after their NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 19, 2017, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
DAL vs LAC
23 November 2017: Maliek Collins (96)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 12 regular season 28-6 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
23 November 2017: Maliek Collins (96)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 12 regular season 28-6 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
23 November 2017: Maliek Collins (96)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 12 regular season 28-6 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
23 November 2017: Maliek Collins (96)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 12 regular season 28-6 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
23 November 2017: Maliek Collins (96)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 12 regular season 28-6 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Photo by Sam Smith/Dallas Cowboys
23 November 2017: Maliek Collins (96)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 12 regular season 28-6 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
Washington Redskins offensive tackle Ty Nsekhe (79) and offensive tackle Trent Williams (71) in action against Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Maliek Collins (96) during an NFL football game, Thursday, Nov. 30, 2017, in Arlington, Texas. The Cowboys defeated the Redskins, 38-14. (Ryan Kang via AP)
Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) scrambles out of the pocket before throwing a pass under pressure from Dallas Cowboys' Maliek Collins, rear, in the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Nov. 30, 2017, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
30 November 2017: Maliek Collins (96) of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 13 regular season 38-14 win over the Washington Redskins at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
30 November 2017: Maliek Collins (96) of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 13 regular season 38-14 win over the Washington Redskins at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
30 November 2017: Maliek Collins (96) of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 13 regular season 38-14 win over the Washington Redskins at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
10 December 2017: Maliek Colllins (96)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 14 regular season 30-10 win over the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
10 December 2017: Maliek Colllins (96)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 14 regular season 30-10 win over the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
10 December 2017: Maliek Colllins (96)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 14 regular season 30-10 win over the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
10 December 2017: Maliek Colllins (96)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 14 regular season 30-10 win over the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
17 December 2017: Maliek Collins (96)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 15 regular season 20-17 win over the Oakland Raiders at Oakland Coliseum in Oakland, Calif. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
17 December 2017: Maliek Collins (96)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 15 regular season 20-17 win over the Oakland Raiders at Oakland Coliseum in Oakland, Calif. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
17 December 2017: Maliek Collins (96)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 15 regular season 20-17 win over the Oakland Raiders at Oakland Coliseum in Oakland, Calif. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
24 December 2017: Maliek Collins (96) of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 16 regular season 21-12 loss to the Seattle Seahawks at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The award was accepted by Michelle Witten and family. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
31 December 2017: Maliek Collins (96)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 17 regular season 6-0 win over the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
31 December 2017: Maliek Collins (96)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 17 regular season 6-0 win over the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
31 December 2017: Maliek Collins (96)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 17 regular season 6-0 win over the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
What's Been Good:
Considering the entire picture, it's hard to be anything but pleased with the first two seasons that Maliek Collins has put together with the Cowboys. Originally drafted in the third round in 2016, he has been a steady contributor during both of his pro seasons, starting 30 of 32 career games at defensive tackle. Despite battling a foot injury in 2017, he fought through it to be one of the Cowboys' most active defensive linemen. In 16 games, he played 661 defensive snaps – which was second only to DeMarcus Lawrence among defensive linemen. He finished the year with 22 tackles, 2.5 sacks and 3 tackles for loss.
What's Been Bad:
The undeniable flipside of this argument is that, although Collins' career is off to a strong start, his sophomore season felt like a bit of a disappointment. That's what happens when you post 5 sacks as a rookie and head into the 2017 season as a dark horse Pro Bowl candidate. Now, that's obviously not from a lack of effort. Collins first appeared on the injury report with a foot problem in late October, after six games, and he battled that problem for the rest of the season. To his credit, he fought through it, but the stat split is telling. In the first six games of the season, Collins posted 14 tackles, 2.5 sacks and a fumble recovery. In the remaining 10 games, he finished with eight tackles and no sacks. Fortunately, the injury isn't expected to be a long-lasting problem. Stephen Jones said in January that Collins had surgery on his foot after the regular season, so there's plenty of reason for optimism that he will return to his disruptive ways.
2017 Highlight:
In looking over Collins' 2017 season, the undoubted high point has to be his Week 3 performance against Arizona. Playing on Monday Night Football, he posted an impressive five tackles on the night – not to mention two sacks. One of those two sacks came in the fourth quarter, with Dallas holding a 28-17 lead. But the more fun play came late in the second quarter, with Arizona leading 7-0. On 3rd-and-8 from the Arizona 12-yard line, Collins completely posterized Cardinals center A.Q. Shipley, as he rushed him – only to disengage and swim right around the confused veteran lineman. The result was a free path to Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer, who Collins charged and eventually brought down for a seven-yard loss. The sack got the Cowboys off the field, and minutes later the offense tied the score, 7-7.
What's Next:
However you might feel about Collins' 2017 season, it's laughable to think his starter status is in any jeopardy moving forward. That said, it's hard to say right now what that will look like. As of right now, it's unclear what the future holds for David Irving. Because of that, it's hard to say whether the front office will spend a premium draft pick on the defensive tackle position. Regardless: whether he's lining up next to Irving or someone else, or whether he's playing three-technique or one-technique, it's a solid bet Maliek Collins will once again be a member of the Cowboys' starting rotation in 2018.
- In my opinion one of the most talented defensive linemen on the squad.
- Went on record to say I was expecting a Pro Bowl type of season from him.
- Showed all the traits in a player that could receive that type of honor.
- He and Zack Martin had daily battles at training camp that were special to watch.
- Was outstanding playing next to Terrell McClain in 2016 as the three technique.
- Had to adjust to the role to the one when the staff used David Irving as the three.
- Had his moments where he flashed but wasn't nearly consistent enough down after down especially after sustaining a foot injury during practice.
- To his credit, fought his way through games despite missing practice time.
- Still have confidence that he can regain that special ability we saw from his rookie season with more time working with the guys around him.
- Too good of a player to believe otherwise.
