The New England Patriots may land wide receiver Brandin Cooks as part of a blockbuster trade. ESPN’s Dianna Russini reported Thursday that the Patriots are trying to work out a trade that would send Malcolm Butler to the New Orleans Saints in exchange for Cooks.
Patriots could pull off another big trade if they send Malcolm Butler to Saints for Brandin Cooks
New England has been linked to Cooks since the Saints started shopping him.
Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images
Jeanna Kelley has been covering the Falcons for The Falcoholic since 2011 and the NFL for SB Nation since 2015.
Cooks has been productive over his time with the Saints, with over 1,000 yards in both 2015 and 2016. However, Michael Thomas emerged as a favorite target for Drew Brees in his rookie year, with 92 catches for 1,137 yards and nine touchdowns.
The Patriots have been linked to Cooks since the Saints first began shopping him, but initially were interested in exchanging the 32nd overall pick for the wide receiver. Cooks, who is still on his rookie deal, drew interest from the Philadelphia Eagles and Tennessee Titans, too, which would have made it difficult for the Patriots to work anything out with the last pick in the first round.
New England has one obstacle to a Butler trade right now, though. The Patriots placed a first-round tender on Butler, who enters this league year as a restricted free agent. Until Butler signs his tender, he is not under contract with the Patriots, and the team does not have the right to trade him.
The New Orleans defense improved against the run last season, but has struggled against the pass for years. The Saints ranked dead-last in the league last year for passing yards allowed per game. Delvin Breaux played well last season, but the Saints’ defensive backfield is in desperate need of upgrades to complement him, and Butler certainly would be one.
Butler, who signed with the Patriots as an undrafted free agent after the 2014 NFL draft, made his reputation on the game-sealing, end-zone interception against the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl 49. Butler finished last season with 17 pass deflections, four interceptions, and a sack.
The Patriots are expected to sign cornerback Stephon Gilmore, who could fill the role Butler plays in the New England defense.
It wouldn’t be the first trade of this offseason for the Patriots. They struck up a deal with the Indianapolis Colts for tight end Dwayne Allen on Wednesday.
See More:
