CHICAGO — The NFL has denied a request from LSU offensive lineman La’el Collins to be withdrawn from this week’s draft and placed in a supplemental draft later this year.
Collins made the request through his agent on Thursday, hours before teams began making their first-round picks. Collins has been sought by police in connection with the murder of his ex-girlfriend in Baton Rouge, La. Police say he is not a suspect in her shooting, but the investigation could scare off some teams.
Collins had been projected as a first-rounder.
The NFL has no precedent or procedure for such a move under draft rules; once a player becomes eligible for the draft, there is no procedure for removal.
In fact, draft rules agreed upon with the players’ union specify that the draft cannot be bypassed for a supplemental draft.
Collins was not at the draft Thursday night. He attended an NFL Play 60 event with youngsters on Wednesday but did not talk to the media.
Thumbnail photo via Brian Spurlock/USA TODAY Sports Images
