Giants safety Landon Collins’ breakout second season did not end with the NFL Defensive Player of the Year award. Collins finished third in the voting behind Oakland edge rusher Khalil Mack and Broncos defensive end Von Miller.
Mack received the award on Saturday night at the NFL Honors in Houston on the eve of Super Bowl LI. The award was voted on by a panel of 50 Associated Press writers. Mack received 18 votes, followed by Miller (17), Collins (9), Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald (3), Cowboys linebacker Sean Lee (2) and Chiefs safety Eric Berry (1).
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A second-round pick in the 2015 draft, Collins was named Pro Football Focus’ “Breakout Player” this season after an up-and-down rookie year. Collins had 125 tackles, five interceptions and four sacks to become the first safety to reach those benchmarks since Rodney Harrison in 2000.
Collins was remarkably durable, missing just five snaps all season. He was at his best as a physical presence close to the line of scrimmage, but he also made major strides in pass coverage. Collins’ signature play was a weaving 44-yard interception return for a touchdown against the Rams in Week 7.
Collins was named a first-team All-Pro and earned a Pro Bowl selection this season. He was named the NFC’s Defensive Player of the Month in November after recording 40 tackles, five pass break-ups, three interceptions and a sack in four games in the month.
Collins’ dominant play was a big reason the Giants’ defense transformed from one of the NFL’s worst units in 2015 to one of the best this season.
Only two Giants have won the Defensive Player of the Year award: Defensive end Michael Strahan, who won in 2001, and linebacker Lawrence Taylor, who won in 1981, 1982 and 1986.
Dan Duggan may be reached at dduggan@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @DDuggan21. Find our Giants coverage on Facebook.
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