3 defensive MVPs for the Patriots after first quarter of season
1. Jamie Collins Sr.
On a defense that has surprised a lot of people through the first quarter of the 2019 regular season, Jamie Collins Sr. ranks as the most surprising individual player.
Ignominiously exiled to Cleveland after reports surfaced of Collins freelancing on defense and taking occasional plays off, all it took was two-and-a-half years with the Browns for the former second-round pick out of Southern Mississippi to realize how good he had it up in New England with Bill Belichick. Just nine days after he was released by Cleveland, Collins re-upped with the Pats on a one-year prove-it deal.
And boy, oh boy, has he proven it so far.
Collins leads the team in tackles through the first four games with 23, 17 of which he’s single-handedly responsible for. He also leads the team in sacks with 3.5, leads the team in tackles for loss with 7.0, ranks second on the team in passes defended with four, ranks second again in interceptions on the team with three, and is tied with Stephon Gilmore for the team lead in defensive touchdowns with one each.
The interceptions total is already his career high; with two more sacks, he’ll tie his previous career best in that category as well.
He’s also the only other Patriot to make ProFootballFocus’ First-Quarter NFL All-Pro team, who note that Collins “ranks second among all off-ball linebackers in overall grade (86.4) with plus grades defending the run, playing in coverage and rushing the passer.”
ESPN’s Bill Barnwell also included Collins in his quarter-season awards column, listing the linebacker as the league’s third-best offseason acquisition. Barnwell points out that Collins has been “all over the place” for the Pats on the field, but he especially gives Collins props for his success as a blitzer.
Next. 3 offensive MVPs for Patriots after first quarter of season. dark
Of course, Collins has done so much more this season beyond just getting pressure on opposing quarterbacks. He looks rejuvenated in his second stint with New England, and his overall effort and motor on the field is finally starting to align perfectly with the ridiculous level of talent and ability he has as a pure football specimen.