NFL Trade Rumors: Patriots won’t accept 2018 picks for Malcolm Butler
By Nick Wright
The Patriots aren’t interested in a Malcolm Butler trade involving 2018 draft picks
After some trade discussion with the Saints involving cornerback Malcolm Butler near the beginning of free agency, the Patriots have decided they won’t trade him for 2018 draft picks. The Saints have recently stated they wouldn’t sign Butler to an offer sheet by the deadline. Obviously, the Patriots want to get an instant return in exchange for one of their top defensive players in Butler. They have a very talented team at the moment, and receiving 2018 draft in return doesn’t suit them.
The Saints have a major need at the corner position, however, Butler has to sign his restricted free agent tender for anything to happen. The Patriots and Saints have completed a trade earlier in the offseason, as the Saints shipped wide receiver, Brandin Cooks to New England for their first round selection in this year’s draft. It’s basically a waiting game at the moment, but the Saints will have to offer something from this year’s draft.
The market is set high for free agent cornerbacks with Butler’s tender. The Saints would likely have to pay him at least $10 million a year, as that would be what he’d be asking for. They can likely draft a corner with a similar skill set with one of their two first round picks this year. I don’t really see the value for either side at the moment.
The Patriots, for now anyways, don’t have a draft selection until the third round in the draft. So they are likely targeting a pick in the first two rounds in exchange for Butler. They can also move up and make some moves on draft day of course. Right now, it just seems like a Butler trade is unlikely with what each side wants. I can’t fault the Patriots for declining 2018 draft pick offers. Tom Brady isn’t getting any younger and they are well aware of that.
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I would trust that Bill Belichick Robert Kraft will continue to get as much as they can for Butler. Worst case scenario, the Patriots keep their experienced and valuable corner to pair with recently acquired Stephon Gilmore.