The Detroit Lions have released linebacker Jamie Collins after failing to find a business partner for the Giants. Could Collins make a fresh start with the Atlanta Falcons? This season, Collins will have myriad offers to consider for defensive struggles across the league.
Collins' career has been very uneven, with highs and lows. If Atlanta were to add the veteran it would be an experiment that certainly can't make their defense worse. If Atlanta were to add Collins they should have a very specific role in mind.
Collins had his best season with the Patriots when he was used as both a pass rusher and a run stopper. That would give Atlanta a player to use in conjunction with Foye Oluokun. Deion Jones is too talented to come off the field for Collins' side.
Jamie Collins could have offered the Atlanta Falcons another pass rusher, something they badly needed
With Collins going to find a landing spot next week, the question is, does he choose to land with a contender? If he is willing to play for a non-contender as he was with the Detroit and previously with the Browns he would be a great fit in the Atlanta defense and just can't be too bad.
Don't let that 17-14 win over the Giants fool you, it's still a very poor Atlanta defense. His ability to keep New York under twenty was about the Giants' incompetence and not the Falcons' improvement.
Collins is a minor improvement that Atlanta should see if they are really trying to improve this season.
Collins has lost 25.5 sacks in his career with 61 tackles. He brings great playing potential and will offer Atlanta a player who has a shot at going to quarterback. Collins isn't going to change the Falcons season, but he can certainly make a formidable defense a little better in the fourth week.