[1] He captured the 2009 MHSAA (Mississippi High School Athletics Association) 3A shot put title with a throw of 15.90 meters (52–1), and also took third in the triple jump after recording a career-best leap of 13.58m (44–5.25).

Head coach Bill Belichick named Collins a backup outside linebacker to start the regular season, behind starters Dont'a Hightower and Jerod Mayo.

[15] On October 20, 2013, Collins earned his first career start after Jerod Mayo sustained a tear to his pectoral muscle the previous week.

Head coach Bill Belichick named Collins and Dont'a Hightower the starting outside linebackers to begin the regular season.

[19] Collins started in the New England Patriots' season-opener at the Miami Dolphins and recorded a season-high eight solo tackles and deflected a pass in their 33–20 loss.

Collins intercepted a pass by quarterback Kyle Orton, that was initially intended for wide receiver Marquise Goodwin, in the second quarter.

[22] On November 30, 2014, Collins tied his season-high of 13 combined tackles (seven solo), recorded his first career regular season sack, and forced a fumble during a 26–21 loss at the Green Bay Packers.

[23] The following game, Collins made nine combined tackles and had two sacks on quarterback Philip Rivers as the Patriots earned a 23–14 victory at the San Diego Chargers in Week 14.

[24] The New England Patriots finished atop the AFC East with a 12–4 record and earned a first round bye and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.

On January 10, 2015, Collins made 11 combined tackles (eight solo) and deflected two passes during a 35–31 victory against the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC Divisional Round.

[22] The following week, he made four combined tackles, a pass deflection, and an interception as the Patriots defeated the Indianapolis Colts 45–7 in the AFC Championship Game.

[22] On February 1, 2015, Collins recorded eight combined tackles as the Patriots defeated the Seattle Seahawks 28–24 in Super Bowl XLIX.

[25] In Week 2, Collins recorded 11 combined tackles (eight solo) and made a career-high 2.5 sacks on quarterback Tyrod Taylor during a 40–32 victory at the Buffalo Bills.

[26] On October 18, 2015, Collins made five combined tackles, a pass deflection, and blocked an extra point during the Patriots' 34–27 win at the Indianapolis Colts.

Collins recovered a fumble after Jabaal Sheard stripped it from Jets' quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick and returned it for a 14-yard touchdown in the third quarter.

On January 24, 2016, Collins recorded eight combined tackles and had two sacks on quarterback Peyton Manning as the Patriots lost 20–18 at the Denver Broncos in the AFC Championship Game.

[35] On September 22, 2016, Collins recorded 14 combined tackles (eight solo), a pass deflection, and an interception during a 27–0 win against the Houston Texans in Week 3.

[40] On November 6, 2016, Collins made his debut with the Cleveland Browns and recorded eight combined tackles during their 35–10 loss to the Dallas Cowboys in Week 9.

[41] He finished the 2016 season with a total of 112 combined tackles (79 solo), three passes defensed, three sacks, two interceptions, and two forced fumbles in 15 games and 14 starts.

[45] On September 17, 2017, Collins collected a season-high seven solo tackles before exiting in the fourth quarter of the Browns' 24–10 loss at the Baltimore Ravens due to a concussion.

[47] Collins left the game in the first quarter after he sustained an injury to his right knee that occurred when he was tackled by Graham Glasgow while returning his interception.

[49] Collins finished the 2017 season with 31 combined tackles (21 solo), three pass deflections, a sack, a forced fumble, and an interception in six games and six starts.

On Collins' first interception, he picked off a pass from Ryan Fitzpatrick that was bobbled in the hands of running back Kalen Ballage and returned it for a 69 yard touchdown.

[54] In week 4 against the Buffalo Bills, Collins sacked Josh Allen once and intercepted Matt Barkley late in the fourth quarter to seal a 16–10 win for the Patriots.

[55] In week 6 against the New York Giants, Collins forced a fumble on running back Jon Hilliman that was recovered by teammate Kyle Van Noy who returned the ball for a touchdown in the 35–14 win.

[58][59] Collins reunited with former New England Patriots’ defensive coordinator and Detroit Lions head coach Matt Patricia and teammates Duron Harmon and Danny Shelton.