La'el Collins cashes in on performance-based pay

IRVING, Texas -- In order to sign La'el Collins as an undrafted free agent last year, the Dallas Cowboys had to go the unusual route of fully guaranteeing his three-year contract for close to $1.6 million.

On Monday, Collins learned he will earn another $277,939.63 from his rookie season thanks to the NFL’s performance-based pay system.

The system rewards players whose playing time is disproportionate to their salaries. Collins started 11 games at left guard as a rookie in 2015.

Each team was awarded $3.802 million to dispense. Collins was one of 10 Cowboys to earn more than $100,000. Safety J.J. Wilcox, who started 12 games, earned $227,737.26.

Every player who played a snap in 2015 earned some money. Josh Thomas was active for the finale but did not see a snap. Darrion Weems, who was on the active roster for one game, earned the smallest check at $551.30.

Tony Romo took in an extra $2,458.28 for his four games.

Former running back Joseph Randle, who was released Nov. 3, 2015, and has been arrested six times in the past two years, earned $33,285.50.

Here is the rest of the Cowboys' top 10:

Anthony Hitchens -- $166,697.27

Terrance Williams -- $164,211.23

Nick Hayden -- $157,095.24

Jack Crawford -- $144,189.79

Tyler Patmon -- $141,116.91

Jeff Heath -- $135,163.06

Kyle Wilber -- $118,454.41

Byron Jones -- $107,255.58