La'el Collins Thread - Cleared post 767; visited Cowboys - 05/06/15

[jterrell]

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/05/02/collins-plans-to-sign-once-hes-cleared/

Ultimately, Collins can salvage the early portion of his career by signing the standard three-year deal as an undrafted rookie. While he’d be eligible for restricted free agency after three years, the numbers suggest that he’ll do fairly well, given the current amount and the historic growth of the restricted free agency tenders.

If the tenders continue to increase at a rate of five percent annually, Collins could make more than all drafted players except the top 41 picks, based on three years of minimum salaries and the first-round tender for 2018. With the second-round tender, he’ll make more than all but 52 of the picks. With the original-round tender, he’ll make more than all but 65 of the picks.

It’s a formula that demonstrates how little draft picks make beyond round one, relative to undrafted players. That said, the balloon payment in year four requires the undrafted player to earn one of the three RFA tenders. But Collins already has a leg up on the guys who typically slide through seven rounds; he has skills that would have potentially made him a first-round pick but for the unusual circumstances that unfolded in the past few days.

The analysis has one important caveat. Players taken in rounds three through seven are eligible for the proven performance escalators, which bumps their salary for the fourth year of their rookie deal into the range of $1.5 million. Still, Collins can end up getting a decent four-year rate of pay even as an undrafted player — and he’ll be eligible for a new contract after only two seasons. Drafted players have to wait for three.

Also, and perhaps most importantly, Collins gets to pick his NFL team. No drafted player gets to do that.

For now, none of this matters until he’s cleared. That process begins Monday.

 

[jterrell]

The Cowboys are likely not competing for him.

They've already used rookie bonus money from their pool so can't offer what teams who have not done so may.

All teams could do what Dallas did with Leary and offer guaranteed money.
That is one area that the CBA doesn't restrict for rookies.

Also why would be pick Dallas?? Other than goofiness. Dallas has 5 very well liked starters and a 3rd round rookie as swing tackle.

 

[jterrell]

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/05/02/collins-plans-to-sign-once-hes-cleared/

Ultimately, Collins can salvage the early portion of his career by signing the standard three-year deal as an undrafted rookie. While he’d be eligible for restricted free agency after three years, the numbers suggest that he’ll do fairly well, given the current amount and the historic growth of the restricted free agency tenders.

If the tenders continue to increase at a rate of five percent annually, Collins could make more than all drafted players except the top 41 picks, based on three years of minimum salaries and the first-round tender for 2018. With the second-round tender, he’ll make more than all but 52 of the picks. With the original-round tender, he’ll make more than all but 65 of the picks.

It’s a formula that demonstrates how little draft picks make beyond round one, relative to undrafted players. That said, the balloon payment in year four requires the undrafted player to earn one of the three RFA tenders. But Collins already has a leg up on the guys who typically slide through seven rounds; he has skills that would have potentially made him a first-round pick but for the unusual circumstances that unfolded in the past few days.

The analysis has one important caveat. Players taken in rounds three through seven are eligible for the proven performance escalators, which bumps their salary for the fourth year of their rookie deal into the range of $1.5 million. Still, Collins can end up getting a decent four-year rate of pay even as an undrafted player — and he’ll be eligible for a new contract after only two seasons. Drafted players have to wait for three.

Also, and perhaps most importantly, Collins gets to pick his NFL team. No drafted player gets to do that.

For now, none of this matters until he’s cleared. That process begins Monday.

The part in bold is why Collins agent suggested they'd sit out if drafted after round 3. He makes more money as an UDFA if in fact he can play and his prospect rating suggests he likely can.

 

[xwalker]

The Cowboys are likely not competing for him.

They've already used rookie bonus money from their pool so can't offer what teams who have not done so may.

All teams could do what Dallas did with Leary and offer guaranteed money.
That is one area that the CBA doesn't restrict for rookies.

Also why would be pick Dallas?? Other than goofiness. Dallas has 5 very well liked starters and a 3rd round rookie as swing tackle.

Doug Free can't practice as of today because of January ankle surgery. Jerry the salesman could use that as a reason that RT is open for competition.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

Anymore, I don't know if there is really that much difference between LG and RT from a salary perspective. This guy has really good feet and is excellent at reaching the 2nd level and pulling. He, IMO, is going to be a guard in the NFL. Any team can offer him anything but doesn't mean that's where he will end up. At LG, he can make himself more money, IMO, then he can at RT because he would be a decent prospect at RT but at LG, he can be really good IMO. I think there is more money down the line for him if he proves to be a top 5 RG in the NFL. JMO

 

[jterrell]

Doug Free can't practice as of today because of January ankle surgery. Jerry the salesman could use that as a reason that RT is open for competition.

no, he can't.

collins has an agent with a brain and he isn't going to risk collins coming into a spot where he doesn't start.
being in a 3 way battle with free and green would be beyond stupid.
dallas returns multiple pro bowlers, just re-signed free and drafted two OTs.

he is going to get the max bonus(dallas can't offer it because they've already used money in their pool), he is going to go somewhere that needs a RT starter and has no strong candidates.

dallas isn't in the mix here.. UNLESS they are the only team offering to guarantee all his money.

 

[speedkilz88]

Doug Free can't practice as of today because of January ankle surgery. Jerry the salesman could use that as a reason that RT is open for competition.

If I put myself in Collins shoes. I'm not afraid of competition. I'm a first round talent. It's relatively young entrenched starters with large contracts I'm afraid of because those guys are locked in. So a Doug Free (older and bad ankle) and Leary (knee issues cheap 1 yr contracts the next two years) are more the competition I would expect to face. I also would want to live in a preferable area I am accustomed to. In Collins case he is from Baton Rouge so he stayed home to go to college rather than go out of state. So he may want to stay close to home. It would be awesome if he happened to be a Cowboys fan.

 

[Galian Beast]

If I put myself in Collins shoes. I'm not afraid of competition. I'm a first round talent. It's relatively young entrenched starters with large contracts I'm afraid of because those guys are locked in. So a Doug Free (older and bad ankle) and Leary (knee issues cheap 1 yr contracts the next two years) are more the competition I would expect to face. I also would want to live in a preferable area I am accustomed to. In Collins case he is from Baton Rouge so he stayed home to go to college rather than go out of state. So he may want to stay close to home. It would be awesome if he happened to be a Cowboys fan.

That really isn't realistic.

If he feels as though they have a commitment to a veteran like Free, he may end up riding the bench for a year or two which will diminish his earning capabilities. He'll want to go to a place where he is the clear cut starter.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

no, he can't.

collins has an agent with a brain and he isn't going to risk collins coming into a spot where he doesn't start.
being in a 3 way battle with free and green would be beyond stupid.
dallas returns multiple pro bowlers, just re-signed free and drafted two OTs.

he is going to get the max bonus(dallas can't offer it because they've already used money in their pool), he is going to go somewhere that needs a RT starter and has no strong candidates.

dallas isn't in the mix here.. UNLESS they are the only team offering to guarantee all his money.

Not necessarily JT. I mean, I tend to agree that this is probably the advice his agent will give him and I also agree that it is likely that he will probably listen to it but there is a chance that he might value winning and quality of life more then we might suspect. If Dallas can put together a good offer, these things might factor in. I agree, it's a bit of a long shot but it's possible.

 

[DFWJC]

It's really only a two year salary delay vs the 3 that some are saying. You can renegotiate your own UDFAs after two years even if they're on a 3 year deal.

If he performs he'll get an escalated salary 2 years sooner than if he was drafted, so it could all work out for him.
Plus, of course, he gets to choose his spot.

Unfortunately, I'd think Dallas would be pretty far down his list due to possible lack of immediate opportunity.

 

[Stash]

The Cowboys are likely not competing for him.

They've already used rookie bonus money from their pool so can't offer what teams who have not done so may.

All teams could do what Dallas did with Leary and offer guaranteed money.
That is one area that the CBA doesn't restrict for rookies.

Also why would be pick Dallas?? Other than goofiness. Dallas has 5 very well liked starters and a 3rd round rookie as swing tackle.

The Cowboys would be arrogant and foolish if they didn't pursue him. This is possibly a once-in-a-lifetime for a team to gain an additional first round draft pick at a position where you never have too much talent.

This guy is a Top 15 talent and could step in and beat out Ron Leary tomorrow, and possibly Doug Free by week one.

And what better place to step into than a situation where you're surrounded by young, Pro talent on all sides?

How many better overall offenses are out there in the entire league?

How many teams have a higher visibility than the Cowboys?

Why wouldn't he pick Dallas?

 

[speedkilz88]

That really isn't realistic.

If he feels as though they have a commitment to a veteran like Free, he may end up riding the bench for a year or two which will diminish his earning capabilities. He'll want to go to a place where he is the clear cut starter.

You overvalue Doug Free and every team right now has starters.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

That really isn't realistic.

If he feels as though they have a commitment to a veteran like Free, he may end up riding the bench for a year or two which will diminish his earning capabilities. He'll want to go to a place where he is the clear cut starter.

I don't think he would be interested in riding the bench but honestly, if the situation he goes to is better for him, long term, he might be better off sitting for a year. His contract will be fully guaranteed, he could sit and learn while avoiding wear and tear on his body and he could get stronger. I mean, there is no guarantee that he will start with whomever he signs with. He could end up sitting for a year anywhere he goes. I don't expect this to be how he looks at it but he would smart to look at it from all points of view IMO.

 

[jterrell]

you guys crack me up.

logic trumped endlessly by wishful thinking.

 

[Galian Beast]

That being said I think that playing for the Cowboys has a lot of merit.

Playing next to two pro bowl linemen will give him much greater visibility especially given his story. If he dominates in his rookie year, he has a good chance of making the pro bowl by association.

There is also re-creating his image, and being on a line that is highly look at, will help shape that image for him.

The key though is starting.

My argument is that we can afford Doug Free as our swing tackle in 2015, but in 2016 he would need to go and that was probably already part of the plan and their thinking when they got Green.

This Tackle position is just too crowded here.

 

[Galian Beast]

I don't think he would be interested in riding the bench but honestly, if the situation he goes to is better for him, long term, he might be better off sitting for a year. His contract will be fully guaranteed, he could sit and learn while avoiding wear and tear on his body and he could get stronger. I mean, there is no guarantee that he will start with whomever he signs with. He could end up sitting for a year anywhere he goes. I don't expect this to be how he looks at it but he would smart to look at it from all points of view IMO.

Ultimately he will go to a team that doesn't have any depth or a quality starting right tackle...

 

[Galian Beast]

You overvalue Doug Free and every team right now has starters.

They just re-signed free to a 3 year deal worth 15 million with 6 million guaranteed. He'll be here for two years without a doubt. Can't even cut him next year like I previously suggested.

 

[speedkilz88]

Ultimately he will go to a team that doesn't have any depth or a quality starting right tackle...

Good luck with that.

 

[Stash]

you guys crack me up.

logic trumped endlessly by wishful thinking.

Must have missed the part where this 'logic' showed up...

 

[xwalker]

no, he can't.

collins has an agent with a brain and he isn't going to risk collins coming into a spot where he doesn't start.
being in a 3 way battle with free and green would be beyond stupid.
dallas returns multiple pro bowlers, just re-signed free and drafted two OTs.

he is going to get the max bonus(dallas can't offer it because they've already used money in their pool), he is going to go somewhere that needs a RT starter and has no strong candidates.

dallas isn't in the mix here.. UNLESS they are the only team offering to guarantee all his money.

I think the total udfa pool for bonus money is 80K. Even if the Cowboys have spent 40K, is he going to make his decision based on a 1 time payment of 40K?

He is going to assume that he will beat out a 3rd round pick, so Green really does not factor into the decision. The fact that Dallas used a 3rd on an OT shows that they are probably looking to replace Free in the near future.

Yes, a team with nothing at OT probably seems more appealing; although, those are probably the bad teams. Who really wants to go to a bad team? A guy that was projected as a possible top 10 pick probably believes that he will win a job over any non Pro Bowl veteran.

The Saints drafted an OT at #13 overall and have a young LT, so that's probably not the best situation. They might have had their guy at #13 ranked higher than Collins.

There are probably teams that on paper would be an easier sell than the Cowboys, but Jerry in known to be a terrific salesman. Wasn't it McClain that told the story about how impressed he was when Jerry called him to come out of retirement last year?