National Football League

Source: Cowboys sign LSU star OT La'el Collins to three-year deal

Published May. 7, 2015 1:45 p.m. ET

foxsports

The Dallas Cowboys were the first team to get a shot at convincing La'eCollins to sign with them, and they will also be the last. Charean Williams of the Star-Telegram reports that a source has confirmed the undrafted free agent will sign with the Cowboys.

According to Adam Schefter, Collins has signed a fully guaranteed three-year, $1.65 million deal. The Cowboys unloaded all of the money that they had left in their undrafted free agent pool.

Previous reports had surfaced that Collins will likely sign with the team that gives him the best chance to start right away at offensive tackle because this ideal scenario would help propel Collins to a big second contract in the NFL. These reports turned out to be false.

After re-signing Doug Free this offseason, the Cowboys didn't have any vacancies at offensive tackle. What they likely offered Collins is a chance to play left guard, in place of the Cowboys' relative weak link Ronald Leary, on what could go down as one of the best offensive lines in the last decade.

Of course, if Collins stands out in training camp, the Cowboys could consider moving Free to guard. Free has NFL experience at guard, but he has made his living at tackle.

An unfortunate police investigation cause Collins to go from a sure-fire first-round draft selection to an undrafted free agent. It was unfortunate because Collins was recently absolved of any wrongdoing or connection to the investigation.

Collins offers potential to be a major contributor right away. According to Pro Football Focus, a website that charts and grades every individual play from every player, he graded out as the best offensive tackle in both run blocking and pass blocking grades. He accomplished this feat against some of the best pass rushers in the nation in the SEC.

Stay tuned for more details on the newest Cowboy.

(h/t @NFLCharean)

Photo Credit: Kim Klement/USA TODAY Sports