Patriots Trade Jamie Collins To Browns For Draft Pick
BOSTON (CBS) -- The Patriots have traded linebacker Jamie Collins to the Cleveland Browns. The move was first reported by ESPN's Adam Schefter and NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.
In return, the Patriots will receive a draft pick at the end of the third round or in the fourth round.
Blockbuster deal: Patriots traded LB Jamie Collins to Cleveland for a compensatory third-round pick, sources tell ESPN.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 31, 2016
Per source, best Pats get for Jamie Collins is Browns 3rd round comp pick. IF Browns aren't awarded a 3d round pick, Pats get 4th regular.
— Tony Grossi (@TonyGrossi) October 31, 2016
The #Patriots are trading star LB Jamie Collins to the #Browns for a third-round pick, source confirms (as @AdamSchefter reports). Wow.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 31, 2016
So instead of Browns trading player to Patriots, Patriots turn tables and trade player to Browns. Cleveland using its draft ammo.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 31, 2016
Collins, 27, is set to become a free agent this upcoming offseason. He was initially drafted by the Patriots in the second round of the 2013 draft.
The linebacker has recorded 43 total tackles, one sack, one forced fumble and two interceptions on the season. In his three-plus-year career, he's made 291 tackles, 10.5 sacks, 10 forced fumbles and five interceptions in 50 games played. In seven career playoff games, he's recorded 50 tackles, three sacks and two interceptions.
In his conference call with Patriots reporters on Monday morning, Belichick was asked about the team's limited use of Collins against the Bills on Sunday.
"We used our linebackers based on the personnel group that we had called, so those groups could have come up at any time," Belichick said. "So yeah, that's how we did it."
The news of the Collins trade is filtering through the Patriots locker room. The players are blindsided.
— Jeff Howe (@jeffphowe) October 31, 2016
Collins' free agency has been a topic of discussion for some time, as it coincides with fellow linebacker Dont'a Hightower's free agency. Previously, Chandler Jones' impending free agency has factored in to that conversation as well, but Belichick traded Jones to Arizona during the offseason. Thus, the team's decision to back Hightower as the defensive leader seems to have been made.
I'm told Collins turned down $11m per year from the Patriots. Franchise Tag should be around $15m this spring
— Ben Volin (@BenVolin) October 31, 2016
The Patriots drafted linebacker Elandon Roberts in this year's draft, and they acquired linebacker Kyle Van Noy last week in a trade with Detroit.
Former Patriots coaching assistant and longtime Belichick colleague Michael Lombardi shared some insight into some issues the team might have been having with Collins:
Not surprised by the Pats trading Colllins. Not been playing well at all they need to get the defense fixed. This will get their attention
— Michael Lombardi (@mlombardiNFL) October 31, 2016
Collins on the second play of the game does whatever he wants and Bills gain 28 yards. Been happening all year. It was not going to continue
— Michael Lombardi (@mlombardiNFL) October 31, 2016
You are either coaching it or allowing it to happen. Belichick decided he was not going to allow it to happen. Colllins talented but...
— Michael Lombardi (@mlombardiNFL) October 31, 2016
Collins will be going from the 7-1 Patriots to the 0-8 Browns just one day ahead of the NFL's trade deadline on Nov. 1.