Patriots Attempted To Trade LB Jamie Collins For Texans WR DeAndre Hopkins Before Deal With Browns

Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reports that before the Patriots traded LB Jaime Collins to the Browns in return for a conditional third-round pick, New England reached out to other teams including the Eagles and Texans.

Interestingly enough, the Patriots asked the Texans for WR DeAndre Hopkins in a potential trade for Collins. Rapoport adds that the Patriots also explored a potential deal involving CB Johnathan Joseph, whom the team reportedly “loves.”

Rapoport says that even though Hopkins was frustrated last year, it was a “non-starter” for Houston.

There was no way the Texans were going to part ways with Hopkins, who has proven to be one of the best young receivers in the game and is still playing out his rookie contract.

However, it’s interesting to hear that they weren’t willing to move Joseph in a deal for Collins.

The Browns locked up Collins to a four-year, $50 million extension with $26 million guaranteed a few weeks ago.

Collins, 27, is a former second-round pick of the Patriots back in 2013. The Patriots surprisingly traded him to the Browns for a conditional 2018 fourth-round pick that can become a 2017 third-round compensatory pick, depending on whether Cleveland receives one next year.

In 2016, Collins has appeared in 15 games for the Patriots and recorded 112 tackles, three sacks, two interceptions, two forced fumbles and three pass defenses. Pro Football Focus has him rated as the No. 44 edge rusher out of 109 qualifying players.