The versatile veteran figures to be the top backup offensive lineman on the squad
The Buffalo Bills build plenty of depth along the offensive line. Not only that, but they love to roster reserves who can play multiple positions. At this point, I’ve written this same thing in this space countless times this offseason. We know that Buffalo is going to keep nine or 10 offensive linemen, and we know that it augments a player’s chances to remain on the roster if he can slot in at multiple spots.
The Bills don’t just keep young players who can cross-train at many positions, though. They look for veterans who can fit that bill, as well. Whether those players can play all three interior spots, both tackle spots, or everywhere but center, it’s important to have some versatility as a backup offensive lineman with Buffalo.
In today’s installment of our “91 players in 91 days” series, we discuss a veteran who has enough talent to push for a starting spot in some places. Will he do that with the Bills?
La’el Collins
- Number: 71
- Position: OL
- Height/Weight: 6’4”, 315 pounds
- Age: 31 (32 on 7/26/2025)
- Experience/Draft: 9; signed with the Dallas Cowboys following the 2015 NFL Draft
- College: LSU
- Acquired: Signed with Buffalo on 4/9/2024
Financial situation (per Spotrac): Collins signed a one-year deal with the Bills this spring. That pact is worth a total of $1.75 million. If he makes the 53-man roster, Collins carries a cap hit of $1.58 million. If he’s released, the Bills will carry a dead-cap charge of $1.5 million this season.
2023 Recap: Collins didn’t play in any games last season, as he was still recovering from a torn ACL and MCL that he suffered in Week 16 of the 2022 NFL season. He began the season on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list with the Cincinnati Bengals. However, Cincinnati released him on September 12. He signed with the Dallas Cowboys’ practice squad on January 2, 2024, after spending the entire season without a team. Dallas didn’t offer him a reserve/futures contract after they were eliminated in the Wild Card round by the Green Bay Packers.
Positional outlook: Collins mainly plays tackle, but he can also slot in at guard. That means he’s competing with essentially everyone listed as an offensive lineman for a roster spot. Those listed at tackle are Dion Dawkins, Spencer Brown, Alec Anderson, Ryan Van Demark, Richard Gouraige, Travis Clayton, and Tylan Grable. Those listed at guard or guard/center are Sedrick Van Pran-Granger, Will Clapp, David Edwards, Connor McGovern, O’Cyrus Torrence, Keaton Bills, and Gunner Britton. Those listed at OL include Mike Edwards and Kevin Jarvis.
2024 Offseason: Collins is healthy and he has participated in offseason work to date. At camp, he’s run with the second team at both left guard and right tackle.
2024 Season outlook: I think Collins is as close to a roster lock as someone who isn’t expected to be a starter can be. His versatility and his veteran presence along an otherwise young offensive line reserve group is invaluable, and he can step in as a legitimate starter in three of the five places up front.
If something were to happen to Edwards, Torrence, or Brown, Collins would likely be the next man up. If something happens to McGovern, it’s Alec Anderson. If Dawkins goes down, it’s Van Demark.
The only way Collins doesn’t make the club is if he’s hindered by that knee injury he suffered with Cincinnati back in 2022. At that point, the Bills could decide to eat the dead-cap charge and go with a younger player, but none of the other young guys have the kind of NFL resume Collins has. Hopefully, we don’t see him playing much once the regular season begins, but the team could have far less valuable insurance policies than a guy who can sub in at three positions.
Now, he was not good at all as a pass blocker in that 2022 season with the Bengals, but he was good as a run blocker. Perhaps his best position is truly guard. Fortunately, the Bills aren’t looking at him to start. In any case, Collins’ versatility and his experience should be enough for him to be on the roster come September.