3 potential landing spots for Landon Collins after Commanders release

1. Dallas Cowboys

It happens all the time in the NFL: A team releases a player on a bloated contract only to see said player turned around and join a division rival.

Look no further than the Seahawks’ shocking release of Bobby Wagner. Just hours later, it was reported the other NFC West teams (the Rams, Cardinals and 49ers) are expected to show interest in the all-world linebacker.

When it comes to Collins, the Cowboys have a glaring hole at linebacker. With Leighton Vander Esch and Keanu Neal set to hit free agency, and 2021 fourth-rounder Jabril Cox on the mend from ACL surgery, Dallas could be on the hunt to find rookie sensation Micah Parsons a proper running mate this offseason.

Enter Collins, who could fill the Neal role in Dan Quinn’s defense. A safety by trade, the Cowboys converted Neal to a weakside linebacker last year. At 6-foot and 218 pounds, Collins has a similar build to the 6-foot, 211-pound Neal and he could step right in to an off-ball role next to Parsons.

We’d even say Collins could execute the role better than Neal, who finished last season with a 35.9 player grade from PFF. While Collins’ 54.7 grade is nothing to write home about, he earned a 82.5 run-defense grade and a 74.0 pass-rush grade, which is exactly what he’d be paid to do as a box LB under Quinn.

Dallas is currently short on cap space, but that could change in a hurry if they cut DeMarcus Lawrence and Amari Copper, and trade La’el Collins.