New Orleans Saints To Meet With Malcolm Butler

Sean Payton just announced that the New Orleans Saints plan to meet with Malcolm Butler on Thursday.

If the New Orleans Saints decide that they’d want to add Butler, the move won’t cost them the 11th pick.

Some fans are worried about Malcolm Butler’s offer sheet. The Patriots extended a first-round tender to Butler, which he has not yet signed. Once he does sign, any team seeking to sign him would do so at the cost of their first round pick, which would go to New England.

But if the Saints like Butler, which they almost certainly will, they’ll look to trade with New England rather than sign him to an offer sheet.

More from Who Dat Dish

That would still cost the Saints a pick. We’re having some disagreements among our staff as to what pick the Saints should give up for Butler. Some say it should be a mid-round pick, ideally a third. Some say it can be as high as a second, so long as the pick is for 2018. But either way, the Saints will need to send something over to New England.

The meeting with Butler likely has two goals.

One, to evaluate in person. The Saints are thinking of trading a pick in a loaded draft, and what to take a good look before pulling the trigger. Butler will come in and likely will work out.

Two, to discuss a long-term deal. Butler and his agent have reportedly been reaching out to teams to seek a long-term deal in place of the $4M contract that Butler is set to play under in 2017. The Saints can’t trade for Butler until he signs his tender—that’s what snagged up the Butler-Cooks deal. If the Saints can convince Butler that they have a long-term vision for him, he’ll sign the offer sheet and the Saints can work out a trade.

Either way, it looks like the Saints will get their starting CB opposite Breaux.

Home/Saints Free Agency