Jaguars could inquire about Cowboys OL La’el Collins

The Jacksonville Jaguars need to revamp their offensive line this offseason. They took a meaningful step when they applied the franchise tag on left tackle Cam Robinson. However, there’s plenty of work left to be done, especially when you take into account that their starting interior offensive guards are set to become free agents. Also, the right tackle position could use a boost, so maybe the Jags should consider trading for Dallas Cowboys offensive lineman La’el Collins.

Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reports that the Cowboys are having “active trade conversations” about Collins. Although the former LSU Tiger missed the 2020 season with a hip injury, he was fully healthy in 2021. Although he was suspended for five games for trying to bribe a drug test collector. On the other hand, he’s been a productive player when he’s on the field, posting Pro Football Focus overall grades of 86.4 and 82.0 in 2019 and 2021.

An undrafted free agent in 2015, Collins has spent his whole NFL career in Dallas but the Cowboys didn’t miss a beat without him in the lineup last season. Also, they probably have a potential replacement at right tackle in Terence Steele, who’s made 27 starts over the last two seasons, so it makes sense for them to try to get something for Collins.

The Jaguars could trade for La’el Collins if the price isn’t too high.

Cam Robinson will keep his spot at left tackle and Walker Little could play right tackle but the Jaguars need to figure out what they will do with their interior offensive line. Left tackle Andrew Norwell and right guard A.J. Cann are set to become free agents. La’el Collins played left guard in his first two NFL seasons, so he could line up at that spot in Jacksonville.

Collins’ contract runs through 2024 and is set to make $10 million each year. That’s less than what the top guards in free agency will command this year, so acquiring him would make sense if the Cowboys asking price isn’t too high — maybe a mid-round pick. The Jaguars have a couple of two third-round draft picks and they could exchange one for the offensive lineman. On the other hand, Jacksonville must take his durability into account. Besides missing the 2020 and his five-game suspension, he also had to sit out 17 games. Then again, that was early in his career, so the injury risk may not be as high as it would with other players.

Now, there’s a caveat that comes with Collins. Releasing/trading him right now would only free up $1.3 million in cap room with $15 million in dead money, so the Cowboys might not be in a rush to move on from him. But if they trade him after June 1, he would free up $10 million in cap room and $5 million in dead money. The thing is that by then, the Jags might have addressed the offensive line, and Collins would probably be an option if Jacksonville misses out on Brandon Scherff or don’t take an offensive line in the draft. If the Jags are willing to wait, general manager Trent Baalke should then pull the trigger.

There are different ways the Jaguars can tackle the offseason and although they may need to wait for Collins, they shouldn’t rule out trading for him just yet.