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La’el Collins’ fall from grace is perhaps the most baffling story I’ve heard in the NFL. Once regarded as a potential top-10 pick, Collins now sits with the rest of the undrafted free agents looking for a club to sign up with, a result of his being questioned in the homicide of his ex-girlfriend. But the Philadelphia Eagles shouldn’t be put off by him — not yet, anyway — and should do whatever they can to sign him.
I understand why Collins didn’t get drafted; not only were teams put off by his involvement in the investigation, but Collins also reportedly told teams he’d refuse to sign a contract if he slipped past the third round. Financially and strategically it made sense for Collins to do that. Now he not only has the ability to choose his NFL team, he can also negotiate a deal that makes up for some of the cash he lost by not going as early as he expected.
But what I don’t get is why every team was so put off by the investigation. Not only did the police explicitly say that Collins was not a suspect, he still hasn’t been named a suspect and he’s cooperated fully with the police. Not only that, byt his background is squeaky clean across the board. I suppose with the Adrian Peterson and Ray Rice debacles teams are extra careful about players with extended legal and social issues. But to run like this without a shred of anything incriminating on Collins is a mystery to me.
Even with all that aside, the Eagles could desperately use a high-ceiling young offensive lineman at right tackle and guard, both positions Collins projects best at. Collins’ presence would mean that the Eagles wouldn’t have to necessarily rely on starting career backup Alan Barbre, or the aging and probably disgruntled Evan Mathis. And with Collins’ nasty playing streak and run-blocking abilities, clearing lanes for DeMarco Murray and Ryan Mathews would become that much easier. Getting a first-round talent at a critical position on the team for peanuts is a no-brainer.
The Eagles were criticized, and perhaps rightly so, for not selecting an offensive lineman anywhere in the draft. Landing Collins would be a superb move that not only gives the offensive line much higher upside, it’ll also send their offseason grade soaring through the roof. Until and if he is ever implicated further into this investigation, Collins needs to be a priority UDFA signing for the Eagles. He could be a future star on this team.
Doug Green is a Featured Writer for www.RantSports.com covering the Philadelphia Eagles and the NFL. Follow him on Twitter @DGreenNFL.
