Pats RFA CB Butler to visit Saints … Interesting development in New Orleans where the Saints will host restricted free agent New England CB Malcolm Butler on Thursday. If the Saints were to sign Butler to an offer sheet and the Patriots didn’t match it, New Orleans would owe the Patriots a first round pick. In fact, the Saints would have to send the Patriots their highest #1 pick which right now is the 11th overall after New Orleans acquired the 32nd pick from New England in the deal for WR Brandin Cooks earlier this month. What makes it all rather interesting is that were reports the Patriots and Saints actually originally talked about a straight-up deal for Cooks and Butler, but the latter had not signed his RFA tender and was therefore ineligible to be dealt. However, Butler has since signed his tender. There is also speculation that if the Saints were to offer Butler, it would be on the proviso that a) they could sign him to a long-term deal and b) that the Patriots agree to take back the 32nd pick, or a later pick from the Saints who likely would not be willing to part with the 11th for Butler. Stay tuned!
