ESPN Concocts Mid-Season Trade For Patriots

The Cleveland Browns and New England Patriots are often involved in trade deals. In 2016, the teams sealed a deal according to which a third round compensatory selection was sent to the northeast in an exchange for linebacker Jamie Collins. The Browns signed the Southern Mississipi player to a long-term deal. ESPN’s Bill Barnwell created the trade proposal that was supposed to send the former second-round pick back to the roots of his career in an exchange for a seventh-round player. Maybe a mid-season trade?

Collins’ true value to the Browns took a hit with the appearance of rookie outside linebacker Genard Avery. The 28-year-old player had his best game against the Baltimore Ravens. He had 12 tackles, meaning 1.5 tackles for a loss and a sack. In the season, he recorded 32 tackles, 2 sacks and two pass deflections. Is he fit for the mid-season trade?

“Speaking of linebackers on unsustainable contracts, Collins’ four-year, $50 million pact with the Browns hasn’t worked out. He missed 11 games in 2017 with a concussion and a torn MCL, and his role in the defense has been marginalized with Joe Schobert and Christian Kirksey emerging as every-down linebackers. When Schobert and Kirksey are healthy, Collins is the guy usually coming off the field when the Browns go into their sub packages,” Barnwell noted.

“Collins’ time in New England didn’t end well, but the Patriots need help in their front seven after losing Ja’Whaun Bentley to a torn biceps. A healthy, motivated Collins would be an upgrade on the likes of Kyle Van Noy and free up Dont’a Hightower to take the occasional snap as an edge rusher, a tactic the Patriots used to try to create pressure before Hightower got injured last season. The Patriots wouldn’t owe Collins any guaranteed money after the season and would surely ask Collins to renegotiate his deal to stay with the team. Would a one-year reunion make sense for both parties?” he said, explaining why the Pats should take him.

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