The rich get richer.
The Dallas Cowboys already sported arguably the NFL's top offensive line before they added first-round talent La'El Collins as an undrafted free agent earlier this offseason. Collins joins a line that features three 24-year-old first-round picks in Tyron Smith (LT), Travis Frederick (C) and Zack Martin (RG). Although Collins was a standout star at LSU, the Cowboys initially wanted to ease him into the starting lineup over time. However, his impressive performance in Dallas' preseason opener against the San Diego Chargers last week may make that difficult.
ESPN Cowboys reporter Todd Archer was asked in his weekly mailbag if Collins has a shot at the starting job Week 1.
Time to revisit Collins as a serious threat to Ron Leary? Was beast mode last night. #cowboysmail
— James Falasca (@JamesFalasca) August 14, 2015
"We'll see," Archer wrote. "There was a lot to like about what Collins did against the Chargers, but you don't erase what has happened in the practices leading up to the games. Ronald Leary has been better. He's done nothing to lose his job. I do wonder if the Cowboys will try to work Collins in more to test him against some of the better defensive linemen not only in practice, but in the next two preseason games. There is this thought too: tackle. He has yet to take a snap there this summer, but perhaps the Cowboys would want to see if he could be a swing tackle option on game day."
Third-year pro Darrion Weems has struggled as the team's top backup tackle. It's possible that Collins could assume that role if Leary holds on to the starting job. However, it's too early to decide these position battles. We still have a few more preseason games to go before official depth charts are made. Let's check back in on Collins closer to that point.
