Chicago Bears: 5 Edge rushers to target in 2020 NFL free agency

Jamie Collins, New England Patriots (6-3, 255 pounds)

The New England Patriots had the top defense in 2019, dethroning the Chicago Bears. A big contributor to that defense was Jamie Collins. Speaking of coming back to your original team, he started his career in New England. He was the Patriots’ second-round pick in the 2013 draft. The team then traded him to the Cleveland Browns. The Browns cut him at the start of the 2019 year and New England scooped him right up.

Collins came back and recorded 80 tackles (10 for loss), seven sacks, 10 quarterback hits, three interceptions, seven passes defended and three forced fumbles.

The Patriots are notorious for letting their players go too early rather than too late (I’m looking at you, Tom Brady). They’ll probably part ways with Collins, especially if other teams take a look at him.

Even though Collins is on the wrong side of 30, he is still an effective player. He can get to the quarterback and attracts attention, helping Mack. He is a Pro Bowl player (2015) and is very athletic. He gets into the backfield quickly and when he drops back he can make dazzling plays on the ball. From high school through today, he’s played quarterback, wide receiver, safety, defensive end, and linebacker. You have to have some athletic ability to be able to play all those positions.

Having played defensive end, Collins helps when the defense goes to a 4-3 look at times, he can move down to the end spot and still effectively get into the backfield. He’d be a great complement to Mack.