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NFL Rumors: Trade Buzz on Joe Haden, Torrey Smith and More
- Updated: October 31, 2016
The 2016 NFL trade deadline already gave us our first big surprise, with the New England Patriots sending linebacker Jamie Collins to the Cleveland Browns in exchange for a third-round pick.
Collins’ trade came a day after the Patriots moved to 7-1, solidifying their spot atop the AFC. He is scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent this offseason, but the move was strange for a number of reasons.
The Patriots would have received a compensatory draft pick for losing Collins in free agency had they not been able to agree on a long-term deal. Given Collins’ stature and likely salary demands, it’s very possible he could have fetched a third-round pick—the same exact compensation they received from Cleveland. Collins is the team’s best linebacker and most versatile playmaker, and it’s eye-opening that New England moved on now.
Will there be any more big surprises before Tuesday’s deadline? History says no. The NFL has typically been the most dormant of the four major professional sports leagues when it comes to trade movement—especially during the season.
But will that stop anyone from speculating about a ton of stars who could be on the move? Of course not!
Teams Still Trying to Pounce on Joe Haden
While it’s still increasingly unlikely the Browns can move cornerback Joe Haden or tackle Joe Thomas before Tuesday, that hasn’t stopped the rumor mill from churning. Bleacher Report’s Jason Cole reported several teams are doing “extensive” scouting on Haden ahead of potential trade offers.
Haden, 27, has been limited to five games this season due to a nagging groin injury. He’s been inconsistent when in the lineup, putting together 21 tackles and two interceptions thus far. Pro Football Focus ranks Haden 29th among cornerbacks this season, noting solid-but-unspectacular performance against the pass and run.
While missing three games is less than ideal, Haden has performed well enough to re-establish himself as the Browns’ top corner after missing 11 contests in 2015.
“You’ve got a bunch of guys that I know look at me as a leader and I want to be …
