re: Michael Lombardi reporting that NE want #11 for Butler

Just to clear it up, Lombardi isn't saying that NE wants to trade Butler for #11

He's saying the only way the saints can get MB is to sign him to an offer sheet and give up #11 because it is against league rules to negotiate a trade for players that aren't under contract and so the only way a trade would happen would be MB to sign his tender and then the Pats can negotiate a trade from there or keep him for 3 mil


If you think he's a legit Pats mouthpiece (I don't), then you could argue he's covering BBs tracks in the media to avoid repercussions from bending the rule against negotiating trades for unsigned RFAs.

Or you can just see it as him making a loud statement in order to gain attention and then backtracking to cover his arse later on.

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There are not 11 players in this draft better than Butler and it's a position of need for the Saints. That said, they would absolutely miss on a pass rusher which they can't afford to do

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I'm glad you brought this up. The real question is, is there a team that would draft a 27 year old corner back, that will be matched up against #2 receivers more than #1's and will cost 13 million a year, in the first round?

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He wouldn't go top 5.

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Of course he would, but okay

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The more I keep reading, the more I believe he has no idea what he is talking about.

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He doesn't.

And that's why he started saying Sherman would be a good fit here, even though NO ONE else made that connection.

NE knows they'd never ever get 11. EVERYONE else said 11 is not on the table. And talk is that 32 may not even be the pick (though opinion seems divided on whether it's 32 or 42 plus another pick or two).

Plus if it was for 11 we'd just sign him to an offer sheet without the need for a trade, which is why this is even more bullshite.

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You really don't understand the business side of this do you?

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Cute

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The 11th pick would be a really good, young player on the cheap.

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So it's a sure thing the #11 pick will be really good? Because last I check it takes rookies time to develop and nothing is guaranteed in the draft.

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Butler is good, older player that's gonna tie up salary

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Butler isn't good, he's really good. He's 27 and the team is in win-now mode and can't wait on players to develop. May as well draft the heir to Brees at 11

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I'm glad you brought this up. The real question is, is there a team that would draft a 27 year old corner back, that will be matched up against #2 receivers more than #1's and will cost 13 million a year, in the first round?

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That said CB wouldn't already have 3 years under his belt thus it would be ridiculous to give him 13 million a year. Butler is a proven commodity, the scenario you just made he would not be.

1. Proven commodity
2. Position of need
3. Win now mode

That's all I'm saying.

I don't see any scenario where we give up #11, but if we for some reason did and Butler was an allpro next year, I'd get over it.

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the only difference is a 5th year option

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And in this league that is a huge difference.

Draft picks in rounds 2-7 get 4 year deals, which means they don't become RFAs at the end of their rookie deals. You either sign them long term (assuming they want to stay) or tag them if you want to keep them.

Getting a 5th year at a discount out of a player that should be talented is a HUGE boon.

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And in this league that is a huge difference.

Draft picks in rounds 2-7 get 4 year deals, which means they don't become RFAs at the end of their rookie deals. You either sign them long term (assuming they want to stay) or tag them if you want to keep them.

Getting a 5th year at a discount out of a player that should be talented is a HUGE boon.

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well to be fair, that was in reference to the picking order in draft choices ONLY and not meant as far as contracts go. the contract situation and 5th year options are a separate matter and have nothing to do with who you get to pick from with that pick so in that sense picking 32 vs picking 33 is not much difference at all as far as player choices you have to pick from.

in contractual situations and 5th year options on those contracts, then yes there is a HUGE difference in 32 vs 33

That could be the difference between getting the guy you want and missing out by one pick.

Also player and contract aside 32 is also a HUGE boon for trading back and getting more picks for better value than you otherwise would get, because it is the LAST chance to get a player with the 5th year. Teams give up prime picks in trade for that.