Report: Patriots 'highly unlikely' to trade Butler
It's now "highly unlikely" that the New England Patriots will trade cornerback Malcolm Butler, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports, citing sources.
The New Orleans Saints, a rumored trade partner, are now expected to hang on to their draft picks rather than deal them for Butler, according to Peter King of The MMQB. King writes that New Orleans remains interested in Butler, but that trading one or more picks for the corner is "less attractive than it once seemed" with the draft just three days away.
A restricted free agent earlier this offseason, Butler visited the Saints' facility, but has since signed the first-round tender issued by the Patriots. The Saints could still acquire the Super Bowl XLIX hero via trade, but that would likely require dealing draft picks in the early rounds. The Saints currently own the No. 11 and No. 32 picks in the first round of this week's draft, along with the 42nd overall selection.
NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports Butler has a multi-year deal in place with New Orleans, pending a trade. However, as King notes, with mere hours to go before the start of a draft heavy on talented cornerbacks, the prospect of trading a high draft choice for the third-year pro is becoming less tempting to the Saints.
The one-year tender Butler signed with the Patriots is reportedly worth $3.91 million.