The Dallas Cowboys are currently losing more players than they’re keeping in 2020 free agency. You can now add starting Defensive Tackle Maliek Collins to the list of players exiting Dallas, as Collins is reportedly signing with the Las Vegas Raiders.
Collins has been with the Cowboys since his rookie season in 2016. He played out that contract and it did not appear Dallas was looking to re-sign him.
DT Maliek Collins has agreed to terms with Raiders, source confirms to @usatodaysports.
Cowboys' 2016 draft pick will keep working with his old DC Rod Marinelli, who's now Vegas' DL coach.
— Jori Epstein (@JoriEpstein) March 17, 2020
Cowboys DT Maliek Collins says in text message he has agreed to terms with the Raiders. So, Collins and TE Jason Witten both headed from Dallas to Las Vegas.
— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) March 17, 2020
Maliek’s days in Dallas seemed numbered when the team spent a 2nd-round pick last year on DT Trysten Hill, who is built to play the same role on the defensive line as Collins. The Cowboys have also retained starter Antwaun Woods and appear to be working on a reduced salary to keep Tyrone Crawford.
Collins has provided a solid return for the 3rd-round pick that Dallas spent on him four years ago. He’s been a starter for almost his entire Cowboys career and routinely been among the leaders in defensive snaps played.
Along with Jason Witten who’s also heading to Vegas, Collins is among key players from 2019 who have signed elsewhere such as CB Byron Jones (Dolphins), WR Randall Cobb (Texans), and Robert Quinn (Bears).
Dallas has managed to retain QB Dak Prescott with the franchise tag and WR Amari Cooper with a new deal. But so far, the departures are outweighing the keepers.
Hopefully the Cowboys will be on the receiving end of some more talent in the coming days.