Malcolm Butler: 3 Teams That Could Make A Trade For Him
By Erik Lambert
Malcolm Butler has run into the cold reality of how the New England Patriots do business. Everybody but Tom Brady is expendable.
The signing of Stephon Gilmore to a multi-million dollar contract before he got an extension after playing for pennies as a former undrafted free agent clearly frustrated him. His agent is reportedly fielding calls for teams that might consider trying to get him. Either by signing him to an offer sheet or making a trade.
Source tells me Butler & his camp remain extremely frustrated by Pats position & Gilmore signing. Courting offers elsewhere. Wants new home
— Mike Giardi (@MikeGiardi) March 13, 2017
At this point a trade is far more likely since it could cost a bit less than the 1st round pick it would take via his restricted free agent tender. Keeping that in mind, here are three teams to watch who just might be willing to make the move.
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Best equipped: Cleveland Browns
As if this is any surprise. After their most recent trade with Houston, the Browns are now swimming in high draft choices for the next two years. They have five 2nd round picks alone between 2017 and 2018. It wouldn’t be hard at all to flip a couple of those to the Patriots in exchange for Butler, adding yet another proven commodity to their rebuilding defense. It comes down to how much the Patriots demand since they know this.
Most desperate: Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys were already a questionable pass defense before last season end. That was made considerably worse when both Brandon Carr and Morris Claiborne departed in free agency. An already think cornerback position got even worse for Dallas. If they’re going to take on the NFC elite with all those great quarterbacks, this is not something they can’t let stand. Butler would instantly become the best corner on their roster by a mile. If it’s about the Super Bowl now, which it is, they can afford to make this move.
Dark horse: Green Bay Packers
Ted Thompson already surprised a lot of people with two bold moves in free agency by signing tight ends Martellus Bennett and Lance Kendricks. Given the clear need the Green Bay Packers have for a reliable cover corner, this would be right up the alley. Their corners were exposed throughout most of the playoffs and eventually Aaron Rodgers couldn’t cover for them anymore (no pun intended). The arrival of Butler would be a potential shift in the balance of power.