La'el Collins is a free agent following the NFL draft and with police saying that he is currently not a suspect in a murder investigation related to a former girlfriend, teams like the Miami Dolphins, Raiders and Buffalo Bills have shown interest and reports have Collins meeting with Bills head coach Rex Ryan this week.
According to NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport, the Dolphins and Bills have shown interest in Collins and this could be a battle in the AFC East to see who signs the talented prospect. Collins comes out of LSU as an offensive tackle and he did not get drafted over the weekend following his meeting with police about a murder investigation. Reports do not have Collins as a suspect, but teams did not want to take a risk in the draft on Collins.
Collins has not fully cleared his name yet, according to NFL.com, but the Baton Rouge police have said that he is not a suspect in the case. Collins likely would have been an early to mid-round draft pick had the investigation not come up and now he can sign a three year deal with any team as a free agent. There is a chance that Collins could wait and re-enter the draft, but he likely wants to get his NFL career started after this issue off the field.
Rex Ryan has a need on the offensive line and the Dolphins also could use some improvement up front with all the new additions they have brought in this offseason. The Bills are expected to be better as well and they already brought in Richie Incognito and could bring in Collins to block for new running back LeSean McCoy.
Collins is 6-5, 321 lbs and he could be a strong option for both teams on the offensive line. The Miami Herald reports that the Dolphins will "pursue" Collins as a free agent and that they could look at signing him once he is cleared in the investigation. The Dolphins may have considered him in the first round had he not had any issues coming into the draft. The Dolphins selected DeVante Parker in the first round at the number 14 pick.
Collins is a versatile player and that could get him some attention, as he can play left tackle, left guard, right guard or right tackle for teams. FOX 8 New Orleans reported that Ryan had dinner with Collins and the team may have considered him in the first round as well, if they had the pick. The team traded up last year with the Browns and lost that pick, but Ryan may see Collins as getting that pick back in a way if they sign him as a free agent. Collins could be a huge addition for Ryan in Buffalo and could end up as a major steal.
