[tps_title]Guard La’el Collins[/tps_title]
Sticking with the Dallas Cowboys’ offensive line, La’el Collins has been a popular name in discussions of finding Doug Free’s replacement at right tackle. Instead, the Cowboys have always seen their UDFA steal of 2015 as a more dominant guard.
Collins is going to be needed at guard when, presumably, Ronald Leary gets paid elsewhere as a free agent this off-season. Leary filled the void that would have been left at LG when Collins went down in 2016, and now Collins will slide back into his starting job.
It’s hard to fail playing right in between Tyron Smith and Travis Frederick, and La’el Collins has all of the physical attributes and athleticism to excel as he progresses further in 2017. Purely going off of the game film though, Collins had some struggles in the three games he appeared in this past season.
Jason Garrett is not about allowing his players to cement their job status without competition, but it doesn’t appear that there will be any competition for Collins at left guard despite some of these struggles in 2017.
With the addition of Jonathan Cooper, the interior depth for the Cowboys’ offensive line is still an embarrassment of riches, but their board could lead them to add another guard in the back-end of this draft – even as a camp body with intriguing traits or upside.
I think you nailed it with those variables and who will impact the draft. I think it’s fair to say that Chaz Green has been a disappointment. When you are not available it is disappointing and while he has shown some flashes at tackle it now looks like a position of need. I know there was talk of moving Collins to tackle but losing Leary will most certainly require us to take a tackle. Cooper is a bit of a wild card also as he may gel well with this line and be the guy he was originally drafted to be. And we still have Looney and Cleary. A guy of interest to me in the draft that often shows up in my mocks is Pat Elflein at C from Ohio State. I know he has played guard but wonder if he can play tackle. He is a great team leader and fits that RKG that Garrett likes. Good overview Sean.
Thanks as always for your loyal readership and responses, Randy. Really appreciated. Firm believer that a player’s best trait is availability, since you here it from good scouts all the time, and that is what it really comes down to on Chaz Green. I’ll have to take a look at Elfein. Thanks! Enjoy the Super Bowl.