Dallas Cowboys offensive lineman La’el Collins’ NFL dream started off with a nightmare. After his name was connected to a serious crime just ahead of the 2015 draft, he saw his stock drop so precipitously that he went undrafted altogether despite being a likely top-10 talent.
Luckily for Collins, he landed with the Cowboys in free agency and is signed on until the end of 2019. Looking back, he considers the fact that he went undrafted and ended up in Dallas as a big blessing for his career.
Article Continues Below“Honestly, it’s that times 10,” Collins said, via Jon Machota of the Dallas Morning News. “I never knew what it was like being a Cowboy. Now that I’m going into my fourth year, I really understand what it’s like, and it’s great. I think about it all over again, and I would have come here every time. It’s been a blessing. Just looking forward to the future and what it holds for us.”
Collins has been part of the Cowboys’ excellent offensive line which has been among the best in the league over the last few years. He’s shown valuable versatility by starting all 16 games for the team at right tackle last season after he started his career at left guard.
While there was talk that Collins could move back inside this season, he’s likely to keep his right tackle spot with rookie Connor Williams sliding into left guard. But wherever he plays, Collins should continue to play an integral part in the Cowboys’ O-line for the foreseeable future.