The Patriots shouldn’t need a cornerback in this weekend’s draft, but hey, here they are.
It’s looked more likely this week Malcolm Butler will remain with the Pats for the 2017 season, though it’s fair to be skeptical that people are straight-up lying to gain leverage in the immediate lead-up to the draft. But even if Butler plays out his contract, there’s a canyon between the Patriots and their Super Bowl hero in negotiations for an extension.
It’s debatable whether it should have ever gotten to this point with Butler, but it is what it is. This is an incredibly strong cornerback draft class, so the Pats will consider fortifying their depth chart this weekend.