Getty Jamie Collins during the Super Bowl.
The Detroit Lions are the furthest thing from a contender in the minds of many analysts, but that’s not the complete case as it relates to a free agent who just joined the team.
Linebacker Jamie Collins left the New England Patriots for the second time in his career, and this time, he thinks it’s to land with a team which is on the upswing in terms of starting on the process to make some noise in the NFL.
Speaking with Detroit reporters, Collins provided his take on where the team is at, and said he thinks that the Lions are right there as a squad who can take the next step.
Jamie Collins said on a teleconference with Detroit reporters that he believes Detroit is an up-and-coming team that has been just one, two or three players away.
Additionally, Collins said he believes that he can be the kind of veteran leader the team needs in order to take things to the next level.
Jamie Collins said the Lions have been one or two plays away in a lot of games. He believes he can be a veteran presence that can push Detroit over the top.
The hope, obviously, is that Collins is able to do just that for the team and add some depth and playmaking to a defense that needs it in a big way. Clearly, though, the appeal was there for one of the best free agent linebackers in joining the team.
Lions Were Instructed to Avoid Jamie Collins
The Lions like Collins for this veteran leadership, but not everyone was sure they should have taken the plunge on the New England Patriots linebacker. According to Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report, the Lions shouldn’t look in the direction of the Patriots’ linebacker who is about to become a free agent.
Here’s a look at what Knox wrote explaining why that is the case:
“The Detroit Lions need help defensively, where they ranked 31st overall this season. Head coach and former Patriots defensive coordinator Matt Patricia has an affinity for New England players—he brought in both Danny Amendola and Trey Flowers last offseason.
Thus, the Lions could pursue Pats linebacker Jamie Collins in free agency—but they shouldn’t.
Collins has been fantastic for New England this season. He’s amassed 81 tackles, 7.0 sacks, three forced fumbles and three interceptions.
However, he is 30 years old and has not played his best football away from New England. In two-plus seasons with the Cleveland Browns, he had one good-not-great campaign: a 104-tackle, four-sack season in 2018.
Because of his numbers this season, Collins is likely to land a sizable contract in free agency, the kind of deal that should only be paid by a franchise that is a piece or two away from contention.”
The Lions have targeted Patriots free agents before, and have seen mixed results on that. Obviously, they need an infusion of talent on defense, and linebacker and rush linebacker is a huge need for the team. Everyone who is a free agent that could fit might be expected to get a hard look with this in mind.
Even such, many don’t think someone like Collins would fill the need properly for 2020. But he will be called upon now that he is in the mix.
Jamie Collins Stats
Collins has been a solid performer in the NFL for years. He started with the Patriots where he got to know Matt Patricia, and later was traded to the Cleveland Browns for a few seasons before he got released and signed back in New England.
In terms of production, Collins has been solid as well. Collins has put up 577 tackles, 24.5 sacks and registered 16 forced fumbles as well as 10 interceptions. He’s been a terror in terms of his ability to come off the edge and make a variety of plays for a defense.
Perhaps the only concern about Collins right now is his age. At 30, he’s getting a bit long in the tooth for a big contract, something any team that thinks about adding him will have to consider.
It’s possible that veteran experience will give Collins and the Lions just the leg up they need.