What It Means:

It sounds like the Saints and Butler will be able to come to terms on a deal, but there's still some hurdles to get past. According to Ian Rapoport, the Patriots won't discuss a potential trade until Butler signs his first-round tender, and New Orleans won't be interested in a deal that costs them the 11th overall pick in this year's draft. Even then, it seems more likely than not that a deal is worked out.

Butler would upgrade a New Orleans secondary that was third-worst in the NFL last season in schedule-adjusted Defensive Passing Net Expected Points allowed per play.