Patriots: 10 Most Valuable Players from 2015 Regular Season

5. Jamie Collins

Patriots fans have known how scarily good Collins is for a few years now, but 2015 marked his coming-out party to the rest of the NFL. Despite missing four games due to a serious illness, Collins led the Patriots in tackles, registered 5.5 sacks and led the entire league with five forced fumbles. He is an animal.

Top 10 Quarterbacks in Patriots’ history

It wouldn’t be a stretch to call Collins the most athletic player on the Patriots’ roster. When a running back pushes out wide toward the sideline before the snap and Collins follows him out there, he looks every bit the part of a cornerback. And when he rushes the passer, Collins looks like an insanely quick defensive end. Most often, you will find Collins patrolling the middle linebacker position with Dont’a Hightower, where he fits naturally and flies sideline to sideline.

Simply put, when Collins is on the field, the Patriots’ defense is markedly better. Collins knows that as well as anyone, which is why he will be hoping to cash-in when the Patriots extend him in the near future.

Next: 4. Julian Edelman