The Patriots and Browns pulled off the most stunning trade of the NFL season on Monday, as Pro Bowl linebacker Jamie Collins has reportedly been sent to Cleveland in exchange for a third-round pick.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter was the first to report the news:
Blockbuster deal: Patriots traded LB Jamie Collins to Cleveland for a compensatory third-round pick, sources tell ESPN.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 31, 2016
Collins, a second-round pick back in 2013, has quickly emerged as one of the most versatile linebackers in football. He is expected to be one of the most coveted free agents on the market when his contract expires at the end of the season.
The move is truly stunning for the Patriots, who have underachieved a bit on defense through the halfway point of the season. With star linebacker Dont’a Hightower and top cornerback Malcolm Butler also set to become free agents at the end of the year, it was unlikely the Patriots could re-sign all three players. Still, most would have believed New England could get far more for a player who is now considered one of the better linebackers in the game.
