Cowboys lineman Collins signs extension worth up to $17.4M

OXNARD, Calif. (AP) Dallas Cowboys offensive lineman La’el Collins has signed a two-year contract extension worth up to $17.4 million, earning a payday that eluded him when a police investigation kept him from getting drafted two years ago.

Collins, who will get $9.5 million in guaranteed money, was considered a first-round talent out of LSU in 2015 but wasn’t selected after his name surfaced in the probe of a woman’s death just before the NFL draft. He was soon cleared, and chose the Cowboys in free agency on a fully guaranteed $1.5 million, three-year deal.

The agreement Tuesday came a day before Collins’ 24th birthday, and he said the contract ”means a lot to me and my family in so many ways.”

Collins is expected to replace the retiring Doug Free at right tackle after starting 14 of 15 games at left guard in his first two seasons. He missed the last 13 games last season with a toe injury.