Thomas still on mission to win He says, 'It feels good to be loved' after Hue Jackson's comment

Jamie Collins rushes the passer and runs into Joe Thomas.

(AP)

CLEVELAND -- We'll see if Jamie Collins ends up re-signing with the Cleveland Browns.

Or if some of the critics of the former New England Patriots linebacker are right. We'll see if Collins is worth the hefty contract his agent is seeking.

But this much is certain: This is exactly the kind of low-risk, high-reward move the Browns need to make.

They sent either a compensatory third-round pick in 2017 to New England, or a fourth-rounder in 2018.

That's a modest price.

You might say, "Collins is a free agent at the end of the season. What if he plays eight games with the Browns and then leaves?"

It could happen.

But if Collins signs elsewhere, the Browns will probably get a third-round compensatory pick in 2018.

In other words, they will have Colllins for a few months to see how everyone gets along. This is a form of NFL dating before being married to a long-term deal.

The Browns defense is awful. Collins is a linebacker who made the Pro Bowl last season.

If the Browns are going to make a serious investment in a free agent, Collins is in the "sweet spot." He's 27 years old and coming off his rookie contract. He should be heading into the prime of his career.

WHY COLLINS WAS TRADED

We will hear a lot of reasons behind Bill Belichick's decision to deal Collins.

But the bottom line is the bottom line. Belichick doesn't think Collins is worth huge dollars. If that's the case, deal him. Belichick has done that with other players approaching free agency. Recent examples are Chandler Jones and Richard Seymour.

Here are some other thoughts:

1. Belichick could have kept Collins all year and allowed him to leave as a free agent -- that probably would have produced a third-round compensatory draft pick. That's exactly what the Browns gave up.

2. By trading with the Browns now, Belichick gets the third-round compensatory pick in 2017. If he waited for Collins to leave, the pick would have been in 2018. There could be some reason Belichick wants more picks this season. Who knows?

3. Belichick has not been happy with his defense lately. He likes to send shocking messages to his team by trading veterans whose production has dropped and/or whose salary demands are deemed too high.

4. So dealing Collins now -- and sending him to the worst team in the league -- certainly will grab the attention of his players.

5. Collins' production is down. The previous two years, he totaled 9.5 sacks. He forced nine fumbles.

6. In 2016, Collins has one sack, one forced fumble.

7. Collins is a pass-rusher from the inside linebacker position. He also has to help out in coverage. This season, he has two interceptions, four quarterback hits and is considered solid in pass coverage.

8. Collins played 100 percent of the snaps in New England's first four games. He dropped to 62 percent last week.

9. There are reports of Collins "freelancing" too much on defense. This is his fourth season with the Patriots. Why wasn't that a major problem before? It seems like a rationalization after the trade is made.

10. I'm not about to question Belichick on this. He knows exactly what he's doing. He can trade Collins early because he has talent, Tom Brady and a winning machine in place. He also knows when is the right time to shake up his team with a player move such as this.

WHY THE BROWNS NEED COLLINS

1. Belichick sent one message to his team about no one being safe -- at least no one except Tom Brady. Trading for Collins sends a different message to the Browns coaching staff and players. The front office sees the team needs a boost in the middle of the 0-8 season.

2. Collins led the Patriots in tackles in 2014 and 2015. He was a Pro Bowl selection last season. The Browns must take a look at a younger player with those credentials when the price is so modest.

3. In the statement after the trade, VP Sashi Brown said: "Our coaches and personnel staff think (Collins) can be a great fit for our defense." That's important. The football people and the analytics people appear to be working together on this.

4. Collins fits from the analytics point of view -- a middle-round pick being traded. He is coming off a rookie contract so age is not a factor.

5. Ray Horton is looking for more athletic players for his defense. Hue Jackson desperately wants someone to help pressure the quarterback and make plays.

6. The players and coaches have been taking an emotional beating this season. Adding Collins can't hurt the situation. If nothing else, Collins needs to play well to add value to his impending free agency -- or to get paid by the Browns.

7. The Browns have a lot of room on their salary cap. So they can pay big for Collins if they decide he's worth it.

8. The Browns are 0-8, and this is exactly the kind of move they can make without causing any harm to their long-term team building plans. And if it works, Collins can be part of the foundation.