It's not the first time New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick has sent shock waves through the NFL landscape with a sudden deal, but this afternoon's news regarding linebacker Jamie Collins was a stunner no less.
The Patriots are sending Collins, one of their top linebackers, to the Cleveland Browns for a compensatory third-round pick. If you're wondering why they made this deal -- or why they are getting only a third-round pick in return for a guy John Clayton pegged last week as one of the league's top potential free agents for 2017 -- you are not alone.
But as ESPN Patriots reporter Mike Reiss points out, Collins' snap count dipped Sunday to an unusual number for an every-down 'backer. Still, Reiss notes that if the Patriots were to lose him in free agency this offseason, they likely would have been compensated a third-round pick for 2018.
What say you? Was it the right call to trade Collins? Vote now.
The move likely means increased playing time for rookie linebacker Elandon Roberts, a sixth-round pick who has been a pleasant surprise in the first half of the season.
-- Brendan C. Hall