No one will ever be able to say La’el Collins didn’t earn his shot at NFL stardom the hard way. The former sure first-round pick dropped completely off draft boards after his name was connected, not as a suspect, to a murder investigation in Louisiana.
Thursday, Collins will get the chance to return to the playing field after signing a three-year, $1.7 million contract with the Dallas Cowboys.
So Cowboys come out of draft with CB Byron Jones, DE Randy Gregory, OL La'el Collins – three players once projected as first-round picks.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) May 7, 2015
As the days passed since the draft, NFL teams warmed up to Collins as it became clearer that there would be no twist to the Baton Rouge Police’s investigation and their request to interview Collins in connection with the death of an ex girlfriend and her unborn son. Earlier this week Collins passed a polygraph test in relation to the case and the floodgates opened.
Collins’ representatives said he’d been contacted by multiple teams and even met with Buffalo Bills head coach Rex Ryan. Thursday, it was the Cowboys and owner/GM Jerry Jones that got to celebrate stealing another first-round talent, this time off the street. Collins’ contract is fully guaranteed.
Hard to put into words, and numbers, how much La'el Collins potentially benefitted by being undrafted vs.3rd day pick, but it's significant
— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) May 7, 2015
After drafting UConn cornerback Byron Jones in the first round, the Cowboys snapped up Nebraska pass rusher Randy Gregory in the second round after questions about his work ethic and drug use caused his stock to fall. Collins joins one of the best offensive lines in football.
Jones, in pitching his team to Collins, told the 6-foot-4, 308-pound tackle that he wanted to build the best offensive line in NFL history. Jones reiterated the comments at the Thursday afternoon press conference introducing Collins as a Dallas Cowboy.
The Cowboys already have three Pro Bowlers on their line with Tyron Smith, Travis Frederick and Zack Martin. Right tackle Doug Free just signed a new contract. Collins’ best chance to play this season is to push left guard Ronald Leary.
Tight end Fred Davis reinstated by NFL
Fred Davis will get the chance to resume his NFL career after being reinstated by the NFL Thursday.
NFL reinstated former Redskins TE Fred Davis, who's now eligible to sign with a team, effective immediately, as @ProFootballTalk said.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) May 7, 2015
Davis is a free agent and can sign with any team. Davis was banned from the league in Feb. 2014 after his second violation of the NFL’s substance abuse policy. Davis didn’t make it any easier on himself, getting busted for a DUI in Virginia the very next day.
Davis re-enters a league desperate for good pass-catching tight ends and while he’ll be in a buyer’s market because of his past suspension, he should still land a job as long as he’s in shape and can pass a physical.
Davis played sparingly his final two seasons with the Washington Redskins because of injuries and drug suspensions. In 2011 he caught 59 passes for 796 yards and three touchdowns.
Safety Ed Reed officially retires as a Baltimore Ravens
After sitting out of the NFL for an entire season waiting for a call that never came, former All-Pro safety Ed Reed announced his retirement Thursday, after signing a one-day contract with the Baltimore Ravens.
Ravens will induct the now-retired Ed Reed into their Ring of Honor on Nov. 22, when the Rams are in town.
— Jim Thomas (@jthom1) May 7, 2015
It had been almost a full year and a half since Reed suited up in the NFL, spending his final season with the Houston Texans and New York Jets. Reed just turned 36 and in his time with the Ravens was considered one of the all-time greats. His 108-yard interception return for a touchdown against the Philadelphia Eagles in 2008 is still an NFL record as is his 1,590 total interception return yardage. Reed’s final season in Baltimore resulted in the team’s second Super Bowl victory and his only ring with a 34-31 win over the San Francisco 49ers.
Ozzie Newsome on Ed Reed: "The next time I'm standing next to him like this will probably be in Canton."
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) May 7, 2015
Reed picked off 64 passes in his career, forced 11 fumbles and scored seven touchdowns on defense. He topped seven interceptions in a season five times and picked off nine passes in a year twice.
Other news
Dallas Cowboys defensive end Greg Hardy has officially appealed his 10-game suspension and will have his case heard by former NFL executive Harold Henderson on May 28.
Tennessee Titans linebacker Kamerion Wimbley retired Thursday after nine seasons. Wimberly was a former first-round pick by the Cleveland Browns in 2006.
