“Pretty Decent Chance” Patriots Trade CB Malcolm Butler Before Draft?

Albert Breer of TheMMQB.com believes there’s a “pretty decent chance” the Patriots trade CB Malcolm Butler between now and next Thursday’s draft.

According to Breer, there are some parallels between what transpired with WR Brandin Cooks and the Saints and what’s happening with the Patriots and Butler. Breer mentions that New England and Butler no longer appear to be a perfect match, due in part to the fact that contracts talks between the two parties have gone nowhere.

Breer has heard that there was friction between the Patriots and Butler dating back to last fall and now there’s some question as to what version of Butler New England get in 2017.

No team moves on from players as easily as the Patriots, which is evident from their decisions to trade Jamie Collins and Chandler Jones the past two years.

If the Saints were to offer the No. 32 overall pick to the Patriots for Butler, Breer believes New England would see this as a good idea.

Earlier in the week, Butler officially signed his restricted tender with the Patriots, which opens the door for a potential trade.

The tender will cost the Patriots $3.91 million for the 2017 season.

Butler, 27, wound up signing on with the Patriots as an undrafted free agent out of West Alabama back in 2014. He played out the final year of his rookie contract.

In 2016, Butler appeared in all 16 games for the Patriots and recorded 63 tackles, one sack, four interceptions, two fumble recoveries, a forced fumble and 17 pass defenses. Pro Football Focus has him rated as the No. 7 cornerback out of 112 qualifying players.

We’ll have more regarding a potential Butler trade as the news is available.