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La'el Collins had an unusual path to the NFL, and to the Dallas Cowboys. Widely considered a first-round talent and in some circles even mentioned as a possible top-10 pick, Collins went undrafted.

Shortly before the draft, Collins' former girlfriend, who was pregnant at the time, was killed. Collins was never considered a suspect in the killing and he was eventually revealed to not be the child's father, but police in Louisiana did have interest in questioning him. That questioning did not happen before the draft, though, and with so much uncertainty surrounding him, the NFL collectively decided to take a pass.

And then Jerry Jones got to recruitin'. Jerry brought quarterback Tony Romo and the entirety of the Cowboys' elite offensive line with him to his meeting with Collins, whom Jones told he wanted to assemble the greatest offensive line of all time.

Collins signed with the Cowboys later that day. Being that there was so much talent along the line, though, Collins didn't even begin the year as a starter. Incumbent guard Ronald Leary got the first team snaps to start the year, and through Dallas' bye week (with a one-week intermission where Collins started while Leary sat out with an injury) as well.

When they came back from their bye, the Cowboys thrust Collins into the starting lineup and the kid has not disappointed. He was part of the road-grading unit that helped Darren McFadden run for 152 yards against the Giants last week, and then against the Seahawks on Sunday, he did this:

Good. Lord. That is a mean, mean man. Friendly reminder: this dude is only the fourth best offensive lineman on his own team. He plays with three All-Pros.

La'el Collins is a beast. (NFL on FOX)