The New Orleans Saints are targeting pending free agent linebacker Jamie Collins of the New England Patriots, per The Athletic's Larry Holder.

The Saints are historically aggressive at filling needs at linebacker through free agency as well. One name to keep an eye on: Jamie Collins.

Interest will be there from the Saints for the veteran linebacker following one of his best seasons in New England after veering off two years in Cleveland. Collins played 81 percent of the Patriots’ defensive snaps last season and tallied a career-high seven sacks. PFR rated his 2019 season within the top 15-21 highest values overall in the NFL along the same lines as DeForest Buckner, Zack Martin, Christian McCaffrey and Russell Wilson.

Collins, 30, is a seven-year veteran linebacker who has spent his NFL career between the Patriots and Cleveland Browns. The Patriots selected the Southern Mississippi product in the second round of the 2013 draft. Bill Belichick later traded Collins to the Browns in Oct. 2016, where he spent the next two-plus seasons in northeastern Ohio. Cleveland released Collins in March of last year, and then the Patriots re-acquired him in a one-year deal.

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A one-time Pro-Bowler in 2015 with New England, Collins appeared in all 16 games for the Patriots last season, recording 58 solo tackles, seven sacks, and a career-high three interceptions for the defensive stalwart. Collins figures to make a nice payday after his bounce-back season in Foxborough following his Browns detour.

Next, the Saints will have to figure a way to pay for Collins, as New Orleans has their sights on the solid linebacker.