Favorites to sign Jamie Collins revealed

Coming off a Pro Bowl selection and a second-team All-Pro nod in 2015, it was somewhat surprising when the New England Patriots traded linebacker Jamie Collins to the Cleveland Browns for a conditional third-round pick back in 2016. Less than three years later after battling injuries and declining performance, the Browns released Collins and it's clear that the Patriots were on the right side of things.

The Browns gave Collins a four-year, $50 million extension after that first half-season in Cleveland. However, he played in just six games the following season. Last season, he did play all 16 games and managed 104 tackles, but Pro Football Focus graded him as the No. 58 linebacker in the NFL for the year.

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Collins' release on March 6 cleared $9.25 million of cap space for the Browns and the 29-year-old has remained unsigned since. However, with the draft wrapping up this weekend, Collins has the chance to see renewed interest moving towards OTAs and training camp.

His experience, length and versatility should have value to somebody, so SportsLine oddsmakers are handicapping where the two-time Super Bowl champion might play in 2019. These odds are for informational purposes only.

Jamie Collins team in Week 1 of 2019 regular season

Detroit Lions 4/1
Cincinnati Bengals 5/1
Oakland Raiders 5/1
Denver Broncos 6/1
Buffalo Bills 7/1
Carolina Panthers 7/1
Pittsburgh Steelers 8/1
San Francisco 49ers 8/1
Los Angeles Chargers 8/1
Green Bay Packers 10/1

Looking at the odds board, the Detroit Lions are the minor favorites but they certainly jump off the page because of Collins' success playing in New England under then Patriots defensive coordinator Matt Patricia, who is now the Lions' head coach. Collins was all over the field playing for Patricia, making 227 tackles, recording 9.5 sacks and forcing nine fumbles during a two-year span in 2014 and 2015.

A reunion would make sense at the right price with Detroit owning nearly $26.2 million in cap space. However, determining that dollar figure is going to be the biggest obstacle for the Lions or any other interested party because Collins is probably going to want to be paid like a starter but will have work to do to earn that role in camp.

Collins fits a need for the Bengals and Raiders at 5/1 and both have the cap space to get a deal done. Cincinnati has nearly $23.3 million and Oakland has $31.1 million in estimated space.

Looking a little bit further down the odds board, the Bills are an interesting fit at 7/1. They run a 4-3 and Collins' is probably a better fit in that sort of scheme at this point in his career.

Head coach Sean McDermott, defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier and linebackers coach Bob Babich might be the coaching staff to get the most out of Collins' remaining talent. Plus, the Bills have $30.6 million in cap space to spend.

The Green Bay Packers are also an interesting option at 10/1. They've only got $13.7 million in cap space and will have two first-round picks to sign that will eat into that figure, but they could still afford Collins on an incentive-laden deal and he could help add more competition to a linebacker room that already added Preston Smith and Za'Darius Smith this offseason.

Ultimately, Collins isn't the coveted asset he used to be, but the right situation could see him provide value for a few more seasons. Which is why the Lions look like the best bet right now.