Dallas Cowboys Ink La’el Collins: Contract Details, Reaction

By Ryan Ratty | May 7, 2015

With the addition of top tackle prospect La’el Collins to an already impactful draft class, the Dallas Cowboys have a ton of rookies that can immediately help this team.

Just last week, the talk about the Dallas Cowboys was that they got two stars in first-round pick Byron Jones and second-round pick Randy Gregory. Both players have the ability to immediate improve the defense. With Jones addressing the cornerback position and Gregory addressing the pass rush, the Cowboys basically got two top-20 talents within the first 60 picks of the 2015 NFL Draft. That alone truly is quite impressive.

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Today, the Cowboys’ draft class improved significantly after it signed top tackle prospect La’el Collins. Over the past two weeks, Collins has been a suspect in the murder of his ex-girlfriend. Because of that, Collins went undrafted and lost a lot of money in the process. However, after being cleared by the police, every team in the NFL expressed their interest in the LSU product, but at the end of the day, the Cowboys were ones who signed him.

Listening to Collins’ press conference today, Jerry Jones was in tears and he said how horrible he felt for Collins and his mother.

Jerry says, emotionally, that La'el's mom said Collins has been hit hard. "I wouldn't want to be in his way."
— David Helman (@davidhelman_) May 7, 2015

It’s simply amazing that the Cowboys came into the 2015 NFL Draft with just one first-round and they ultimately walked away from it with three-first picks and three bonafide stars. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported the contract details:

The #Cowboys deal for #LSU OL La’El Collins is for 3 years, fully guaranteed, per source. (@NFLCharean had it first)
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) May 7, 2015

Rapoport also reported that the Cowboys contemplated multiple times late in the draft to bring in Collins. However, after he went undrafted, the Cowboys jumped on the opportunity.

The #Cowboys monitored La’El Collins’ situation from the beginning, doing endless homework. They nearly drafted him a few times.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) May 7, 2015

According to ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter, Collins will receive a fully guaranteed three-year deal worth $1.65 million. This salary number is truly unprecedented for an undrafted free agent.

Here's the deal on La'el Collins deal with Dallas: Cowboys fully guaranteed the 3-year, $1.65 million deal, per source. Fully guaranteed.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) May 7, 2015

With Collins, the Cowboys virtually get the best offensive linemen in this draft. But it’s not just the Cowboys winning, Collins will also go to an immediate contender and an offensive line that was already one of the tops in the league.

#Cowboys get a top-10 talent in La'el Collins, who gets guaranteed contract and FA after 2 years. Good deal for both parties.
— Gil Brandt (@Gil_Brandt) May 7, 2015

Collins will join a line that consists of three All-Pros in Tyron Smith, Travis Frederick, and Zack Martin. Doug Free is also one of the better offensive linemen in the league as well. Unfortunately, Collins will more than likely take Ronald Leary‘s starting left guard spot.

In his introductory news conference, Collins said something that will make Cowboys fans around the world truly salivate. That said, I leave you with this:

"“I can tell you what, our greatest moments are ahead of us,” Collins said during his introductory news conference. “This is going to be the best offensive line in NFL history.”"

Next: Cowboys Fifth-Round Pick Ryan Russell Interviews With Sport DFW

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