Broncos Good Fit For LSU OT La’El Collins if Cleared
The story of La’El Collins and the 2015 NFL Draft is sad, sobering, and downright scary. Collins was asked to return to Louisiana right before the NFL Draft to be questioned about the homicide case involving his ex-girlfriend, who was pregnant.
First of all, it would take someone without a pulse to consider the family of the young lady involved in this murder case, to simply disregard that situation as something standing in the way of a top NFL Draft prospect and filling a team’s needs.
Our deepest condolences are extended to the family affected by their tragic loss.
While Collins has to deal with the emotional aspect of losing someone he was once very close to, there are 32 NFL teams with their eyes peeled, wondering just what is going to happen with this situation.
As a fan, I hope that if Collins is exonerated and cleared, which it appears he will be, the Broncos will show significant interest.
To answer the questions on #LSU OL La’El Collins that are filling up my mentions. If he’s completely cleared, yes, your team is interested.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) May 4, 2015
Email from BRPD: La'el Collins met with police this morning, fully cooperated & is still not considered a suspect. pic.twitter.com/lrWNCUkhFE
— Jerit Roser (@JeritRoser) May 4, 2015
Yes #broncos liked La'el Collins in draft. But, like all teams, waiting to see if he's exonerated if so, most of league will have interest
— Troy Renck (@TroyRenck) May 4, 2015
Of course, when NFL teams feel like this situation is cleared up, they are all going to be lined up for Collins’ services, and like the earlier tweet stated, he’ll have the opportunity (silver lining) to choose what team he goes to and will likely go on a three or four year deal, enabling him for free agency sooner rather than later.
Oh, and for the Broncos, here’s a nice little FYI:
With roster moves today -- Cornick and Kelley released to go with 9 undrafteds added -- #Broncos roster at 89. Have one spot open.
— Jeff Legwold (@Jeff_Legwold) May 4, 2015
I’m not saying the Broncos will be the team to land Collins if he’s cleared of this, all I’m saying is the fit is right. The Broncos have ‘vacancies’ at LG, C, and RT. There will be hefty competition for all three, but after stealing Shane Ray in the first round, it would be like adding another first round pick at a fraction of the cost to get Collins — a player who was on their radar — and immediately pencil him in as the starting left guard or right tackle, putting 2nd round pick Ty Sambrailo at the other.
Adding Collins would potentially give the Broncos an offensive line of Ryan Clady (LT), Collins (LG), Max Garcia/Gino Gradkowski (C), Louis Vasquez, and Ty Sambrailo/Michael Schofield (RT).
There are some really good options there, at least for the long term. The major concern would be how it would look for the Broncos to have three rookies starting on the offensive line, but this system run by Gary Kubiak and Rick Dennison is very much a favorable system for rookies, especially great athletes like Collins.
With John Elway’s ability to recruit, the Broncos’ need on the offensive line, and the fit in the zone blocking scheme, Collins is as good a fit in Denver as anywhere else, and don’t think for a second that if this situation had not come up that the Broncos wouldn’t have been seriously considering taking him in the first round. They were.
Here’s what Collins said about talking with the Broncos at the NFL Scouting Combine:
“I have talked to them. I talked to them at the Senior Bowl. And I will be talking to them this week as well. I think the system they are going to run is great. I feel like I can fit in any system. That’s just the type of player I am,” Collins said.
This is an extremely interesting situation. Here’s hoping the Broncos get this guy on their football team if everything checks out for him.