La'el Collins -- $21,000 Signing Bonus ... After Signing with Cowboys

Former LSU football star La'el Collins will get a $21,000 signing bonus ... after signing a free agent contract with the Dallas Cowboys ... TMZ Sports has learned.

We're told he's set to make $435k in his 1st year, $545k his second year and $656k in year 3.

Our sources tell us ... when all is said and done, Collins will get the same dollar amount as the 7th pick of the 2nd round of the NFL Draft.

Of course, La'el's draft stock plummeted after he was questioned by police in the shooting death of a pregnant woman. Before the incident, he was projected to be a 1st round draft pick.