Patriots Trade Jamie Collins to the Browns

By Djack

Today, Jamie Collins, a very solid linebacker to say the least, was traded by the New England Patriots to the Cleveland Browns for a compensatory 3rd round pick. A compensatory 3rd round pick means if the Browns are unable to sign more players than they lose in free agency the Patriots will get the 3rd round pick, the catch being if the Browns sign more people than they lose the Patriots will get the Browns 4th round pick. Here's the thing, the Browns are going to have a good amount of money to play with this offseason so they most likely won't get the compensatory pick. Essentially the Patriots traded a young linebacker with big upside for a 4th round pick. Why would they do that you might ask, well Collins rookie deal was up at the end of the season and he wanted to get payed big money, the Patriots weren't going to pay him big money, and they didn't want to lose him for nothing, that's why they're a very successful franchise. Although that is no the only factor that played into this, if Bill Belichick thought Collins was essential to the Patriots super bowl run he obviously would've kept him, but Collins must've not been playing up to his expectations, and Belichick decided to ship him off for a future draft pick. Earlier this season the Patriots also made a trade with the Browns, the funny thing being that was also for an outside linebacker, except in that situation the Browns gave the Patriots Barkevious Mingo for a 6th round draft pick. Maybe a little foreshadowing that none of us saw, Patriots got Barkevious Mingo as an insurance plan knowing Belichick could shape him into a formidable player, knowing damn well that once Collins didn't live up to superstar potential he could trade him off getting a higher pick for him, and they'd have a former top 10 pick be able to fill his spot. Belichick is a genius folks, you see it here once again with a simple trade that's going to keep this well oiled machine running, all the meanwhile setting up the future by snagging a draft pick a few rounds higher.