NFL Rumors: Post-Draft Buzz on La'el Collins, Michael Floyd and More

With the draft in everyone's rear-view mirror, there are now many rumors that need to be answered before teams settle their rosters heading into camp. Some of the speculation was brought up before the draft, some of it came as a result of what happened during the draft and all of it is interesting to explore.

Players don't like to see someone new coming into their locker room, threatening to take their job, which leads to trade requests. Teams may have a grand plan for their new rookies to take over for an aging and/or declining veteran, or they simply want to deal from areas of depth to improve a position that needs help.

Success in the NFL is predicated on getting the draft right, but there's a lot more that goes into building a roster than just what happens over the course of those three days. With many items on the hot burner, here are the rumors to keep a close eye on.

La'el Collins Going to Sign After He's Cleared

David J. Phillip/Associated Press

Former LSU offensive lineman La'el Collins certainly didn't have the experience he was hoping for this week. He was sought for questioning last week by Baton Rouge police in the murder of a pregnant woman, but he isn't currently a suspect, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Due to the unusual circumstances around Collins, per NFL Network's Mike Mayock (h/t NFL.com's Bryan Fischer), he was taken off "many" draft boards until he was "officially cleared."

According to Renita D. Young of The New Orleans Times-Picayune, Collins is expected to have his meeting with authorities on Monday.

If/when Collins is cleared in the investigation, he will likely start getting calls from teams around the league. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported on Twitter that the undrafted free agent isn't going to sign anywhere until Monday "at the earliest":

If cleared, he figures to be one of the most sought-after undrafted free agents. Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk reported that once he's cleared, Collins plans to sign with a team.

He was considered a late first-round prospect by draft analysts, ranking as the No. 2 tackle and No. 21 prospect overall on B/R draft expert Matt Miller's final big board.

Having this kind of talent go undrafted is something unique, though, the circumstances around it are certainly tragic.

It will be interesting if Collins is cleared and teams call to see what kind of contract he will get, as this is obviously not an average undrafted player. Adam Beasley of The Miami Herald noted a team might have to give him a fully guaranteed deal:

Collins has the raw talent to warrant a big investment from a team. He's not a finished product and will need time to develop before turning into a starter. Teams covet depth on the offensive line, as protecting the quarterback and opening holes for running backs makes an offense go.

Michael Floyd Getting No Trade Love

Jeff Roberson/Associated Press

The Arizona Cardinals have quality depth at wide receiver with Larry Fitzgerald, John Brown and Michael Floyd forming a strong starting trio. It's not an expensive group yet, accounting approximately $14.6 million combined against the salary cap in 2015, per OverTheCap.com.

Fitzgerald isn't going anywhere after agreeing to a new two-year contract in February. Brown isn't going anywhere because he's the cheapest of the three wideouts and had a strong rookie season with 696 yards and five touchdowns in 2014.

That leaves Floyd, who has two years left on his contract with a cap number that goes from around $3.2 million in 2015 to $7.3 million in 2016 by Spotrac's calculations as the odd-man out if a team wants to make an offer.

According to Kent Somers of AZCentral.com, the Cardinals are willing to take calls on the former first-round pick, but no one seems to be biting:

Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians told Mike Jurecki of Fox Sports 910 in Phoenix that the team wasn't always pleased with Floyd's consistency despite the numbers he was putting up:

Floyd is just 25 years old and is coming off a strong season with the Cardinals, especially with all their issues at quarterback. He led the team with 17.9 yards per catch, 841 yards, six touchdowns and 15 catches of at least 20 yards.

The key part of Somers' report is how it's worded. It doesn't say the Cardinals are exploring trades for Floyd, just that they will listen if an offer comes in. Every team will listen on virtually any player. Indianapolis would probably listen to an offer for Andrew Luck if a team built a package around a decade's worth of first-round picks.

With the Cardinals coming off a playoff appearance last season and having high expectations with Carson Palmer returning at quarterback, there's no incentive to actively shop Floyd right now.

Cowboys Will Handle Randy Gregory Delicately

The Dallas Cowboys' selection of Randy Gregory with the 60th overall pick could turn out to be one of the best values of the 2015 draft. He also has the potential to fail, though the team is prepared to give him all the necessary help to succeed.

According to Brandon George of The Dallas Morning News, beyond his failed drug tests, "Gregory brings another potential obstacle to the locker room. Sources said Friday night Gregory also suffers from bipolar disorder. The Cowboys have a history of working with defensive players who have battled mental health issues."

George also reported that Gregory made a request to the Cowboys that they "put a structure in place for him that will help keep him out of trouble off the field," with a source telling George it will be "similar to how they assisted receiver Dez Bryant after he was arrested in the summer of 2012 and charged with assaulting his mother":

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The Cowboys had a rotating three-man security team – led by private investigator David Wells – that called for at least one man to always shadow Bryant. But Gregory is described as a player who doesn't like to party as much as Bryant and won't need as much security, a source said.

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Gregory had his share of off-field issues in college and in predraft preparations. He failed a drug test at the combine in February, per Kimberly Jones of NFL.com, whose report also noted he failed two other drug tests for marijuana in January and April 2014.

Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett told NFL Network, via CBS Sports' Ryan Wilson, that the team had no questions about Gregory on the field:

"We think his football character is very good," Garrett said. "He practices hard, he plays hard. ... Obviously, there are some off-the-field concerns with him. To test positive at Indianapolis [at the NFL combine] for drugs is an issue. It's a red flag."

Garrett also said that the Cowboys "have to help" Gregory stay out of trouble off the field. It's a lot of work to put in for one player, but talent will always be given a chance to thrive.

Joe Robbins/Getty Images

Gregory was seen as a top-10 talent, with ESPN's Todd McShay having Atlanta take him eighth overall in a mock draft as recently as April 22, so for the Cowboys to get him at No. 60 could make this a tremendous value.

The Cowboys have put a lot of faith in Gregory to take him when they did and are taking all the steps to make him a great NFL player and successful person. It's going to be a long process for both the player and franchise.