re: La'el Collins reportedly signing with Cowboys

an update in the original post would be great.

From ProFootballTalk.." Collins can salvage the early portion of his career by signing the standard three-year deal as an undrafted rookie.  While he’d be eligible for restricted free agency after three years, the numbers suggest that he’ll do fairly well, given the current amount and the historic growth of the restricted free agency tenders.

If the tenders continue to increase at a rate of five percent annually, Collins could make more than all drafted players except the top 41 picks, based on three years of minimum salaries and the first-round tender for 2018.  With the second-round tender, he’ll make more than all but 52 of the picks.  With the original-round tender, he’ll make more than all but 65 of the picks.

It’s a formula that demonstrates how little draft picks make beyond round one, relative to undrafted playera.  That said, the balloon payment in year four requires the undrafted player to earn one of the three RFA tenders.  But Collins already has a leg up on the guys who typically slide through seven rounds; he has skills that would have potentially made him a first-round pick but for the unusual circumstances that unfolded in the past few days.

The analysis has one important caveat.  Players taken in rounds three through seven are eligible for the proven performance escalators, which bumps their salary for the fourth year of their rookie deal into the range of $1.5 million.  Still, Collins can end up getting a decent four-year rate of pay even as an undrafted player — and he’ll be eligible for a new contract after only two seasons.  Drafted players have to wait for three.

Also, and perhaps most importantly, Collins gets to pick his NFL team.  No drafted player gets to do that.

For now, none of this matters until he’s cleared.  That process begins Monday."

Thanks, added that to OP as well

If dude is 100% innocent he will still make more money in the next 2 years than 99% of the people on this board. Then he will sign a mega deal that will make him one of the highest paid offensive lineman before any of his draftmates.... and because he signs early he will get into his 3rd contract before 30 and have the opportunity to sign a 2nd mega deal.

Screw Seattle

Or he could stay home and have a huge fan base, more access to make money outside of football in local endorsements, and form one of the best young offensive lines in football with immediate playing time. Saints will also have a great situation starting next year when they aren't giving Brees a billion dollars a year. It's set up nicely for him to play in his home state, but I understand if he wants to get away from the area and start something new.

Brees gets Guards into the probowl. Period.

He'd be an outstanding guard fit for New Orleans.

No teams can only offer what they have left of their rookie pool.....
Reason Ford is making almost 500k this season

quote:

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What exactly did he do to himself. Let's say you have a business meeting coming up this week. Then today the cops call you and say someone you knew was murdered and would like to talk with you. You, knowing you have no information on the matter say sure when I get back in town I will come and help in any way I can. You have no reason to drop everything in your life for something you have no connection with. Multiply that times 1000 as this was one of the biggest weeks in Collins life. There were events all week for draft attendees.

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I would cancel the business meeting. Some things are more important.

If there was a single business meeting scheduled for the same day they called I would delay getting to Baton Rouge for a day, but that is about it. I would also try to setup a conference call or simply answer as many questions as possible for the police before I can get my butt down there.