The NY Giants could be a landing spot for undrafted free agent La'el Collins, as reports have the team in the mix for the former LSU star and this comes after the team drafted Ereck Flowers and Landon Collins in the NFL draft last week and both players have the potential to start for New York in the 2015 season.
The Giants drafted Flowers with the number nine overall pick in the draft and Jerry Reese said to the media that he expects the Miami product to play tackle. The team has a need at the position after dealing with injuries last season and now Reese could look at adding another prospect to the offensive line.
--UPDATE: Collins has signed with the Cowboys
According to Pro Football Talk, NJ.com reports that the Giants are "in the mix" for Collins and they could meet with him as he gets closer to deciding on which team to sign with. Collins was not drafted after being connected to a murder investigation regarding his ex-girlfriend and because of that he was not taken by a team.
Collins reportedly is not considered a suspect by police and he has a "strong alibi" for the night in question and that could be enough for teams to bring him in. Collins was projected to be a first round draft pick and now that he has been passed over by everyone in the league, he can sign with any team in the league on a multiyear deal. According to NFL.com, the Buffalo Bills, Patriots, Miami Dolphins, New Orleans Saints, Detroit Lions and Baltimore Ravens all have interest in Collins.
The Dolphins reportedly sent former LSU teammate Jarvis Landry to try and recruit Collins, while the Bills had head coach Rex Ryan meet with Collins for dinner. Marc Ross of the Giants said that the team felt Collins was a potential option in the draft because of his talent, but the off the field issues took him off the board. The Giants have an LSU connection to use with Odell Beckham and that could be a factor in helping to sway Collins to sign.
The Giants drafted Flowers in the top 10 and they hope he can start right away and the same goes for Collins. The team traded up to the first pick of the second round to draft Collins and he filled a major need for the Giants at safety. The position is by far the weakest on the Giants roster and Collins is already the most talented player of the group. Collins was more of a box safety in college and the Giants hope he can help replace Antrel Rolle, who went to Chicago.
Dan Graziano at ESPN writes that the Giants should be in the mix for Collins, as he is a first round talent and can help add great depth to the offensive line. Collins can sign the same deal with any team he chooses, so basically the teams just need to convince him that they are the best place for him to play.
The Giants could likely give Collins the promise of playing time, as they dealt with numerous issues on the offensive line last season and could use some upgrades. The team added Flowers in the first round and getting Collins would be almost likely having two first round picks this year.