Cleveland Browns: Jamie Collins the first of many major investments

The Cleveland Browns have made Jamie Collins one of the highest paid linebackers in the NFL, signaling a change in the organization after a rough 2016.

After going silent over the weekend, the Cleveland Browns officially signed linebacker Jamie Collins on Monday.

It is a major deal that puts Collins on the pedestal with Joe Thomas and Joe Haden in terms of lucrative Browns deals.

This deal is more than just a big contract, but rather a clear commitment to making the Browns competitive again. No matter Bill Belichick’s view on Collins, the young linebacker remains a great player. And after cutting most of the major contracts in 2016, the Browns were in a position to commit a large chunk of money to one of the best players available for the team to sign.

And while this deal is nice, the Browns cannot stop here. The obvious next step is to commit a hefty salary to the No. 1 overall pick in the Draft, along with the No. 12 pick, but there are still players here in Cleveland to keep.

https://twitter.com/Browns/status/823678208562315264

Terrelle Pryor is the main name that comes to mind. After bursting onto the scene in 2016 in his first full season as a wide receiver, Pryor figures to be one of the players from the 2016 season who can actually be a star for years to come.

While some fans may be worried about the Browns overpaying the receiver, the team must match his market value to keep him in town. That is, unless it balloons to Osweiler levels, but that doesn’t seem likely right now.

The Browns also have to decide whether to keep Isaiah Crowell, who is a restricted free agent, but that will not cost more than a few million dollars.

Investing $50 million in Collins shows that the front office is serious about making the Browns competitive very soon, and drafting Myles Garrett with the No. 1 overall pick would show a commitment to making the defense one of the best in the NFL.

A lot of fans continue to focus on the offense, specifically the quarterback position, but building the entire defense may be more important at this point. Talent needs to be drafted, signed and retained, and the contract given out to Collins helps establish some stability.

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2016 was a rough year in which the team essentially allowed players to try out for a spot in 2017, but next season will be different in terms of philosophy. Let’s just hope that means there will be more than one win.