5 Key Stories: 3/12/17 – 3/19/17

Saints talking with Malcolm Butler. While the Patriots acquired wide receiver Brandin Cooks from the Saints without sacrificing restricted free agent cornerback Malcolm Butler, New Orleans is now coming after Butler, whom New England tendered at the first-round level. Butler, 27, is reportedly looking for a Stephon Gilmore-level contract (five years, $65MM) and is frustrated by the Patriots’ lack of movement on a new deal. The Saints, meanwhile, have met with Butler and are working towards a pact, although it seems unlikely they’d part with the No. 11 pick through the RFA process. A trade involving lesser compensation is probably the more palatable outcome.Marshawn Lynch (vertical)

Beast Mode in Oakland? After sitting out the 2016 campaign as part of his “retirement,” running back Marshawn Lynch may return to the league in 2017 to play for the Raiders. Oakland wants to pursue Lynch, but it won’t part with any significant draft assets in order to acquire him from Seattle. Lynch would count $9MM on Seattle’s cap if he returns, and because the Hawks don’t have much financial wiggle room (and already signed Eddie Lacy), they wouldn’t be able to keep Lynch on the books for long. For his part, Lynch has reportedly stayed in shape and has the “itch” to play again.

Dont’a Hightower heads back to New England. Following flirtations with the Jets, Steelers, and Titans, linebacker Dont’a Hightower eventually ended up where he started, agreeing to a four-year, $35.5MM deal with the Patriots. While the Jets reportedly had the largest offer on the table, Gang Green also had concerns with Hightower’s physical. Hightower can max out at $43.5MM with New England if he reaches all his incentives and bonuses.Adrian Peterson (vertical)

Adrian Peterson done in Minnesota. Now that the Vikings have agreed to a three-year deal with running back Latavius Murray, franchise icon Adrian Peterson will not return to the club in 2017. Minnesota had already declined its 2017 option on Peterson, but until Murray was inked, a Peterson reunion was still possible. Instead, Peterson will remain on the open market and keep searching for a new club. Several rumored suitors – the Texans, Patriots, Raiders, Giants – have shown little to no interest in Peterson, while the Seahawks visited with him but then opted to sign Lacy instead.

Poe in ATL. After taking visits with the Colts, Jaguars, and Dolphins, free agent defensive tackle Dontari Poe finally found a landing spot by agreeing to a one-year, $8MM deal with the Falcons. Poe, 26, can make up to $10MM through incentives. Not only will Poe be reuniting with Atlanta assistant general manager Scott Pioli (who drafted Poe in Kansas City), but he’ll be shifting to 4-3 scheme for the first time in his career. The Chiefs, meanwhile, replace Poe by adding former Eagles interior defender Bennie Logan.

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