This Date In Transactions History: Malcolm Butler
Three years ago today, the Patriots signed several rookies, including fourth-round pick center Bryan Stork and sixth-round guard Jon Halapio. However, New England’s most important move seemingly flew under the radar, as they also signed an undrafted free agent who’d go on to become a Super Bowl hero.
On May 19th, 2014, New England inked undrafted rookie Malcolm Butler to a deal. The West Alabama product was plenty productive during his collegiate career, earning himself a pair of First-Team All-GSC nods. However, the cornerback ended up going undrafted in the 2014 draft, and it took him more than a week to finally latch on with an NFL team. Butler was surprisingly productive during his rookie campaign, compiling 15 tackles and three passes defended for New England. However, his most notable performance was during Super Bowl XLIX, when he picked off a Russell Wilson pass attempt for the championship-winning interception.
Butler parlayed that Super Bowl performance into a starting gig with the Patriots, and he proceeded to earn a 2015 Pro Bowl appearance after finishing with 67 tackles, 15 passes defended, and two interceptions. Following another productive 2016 campaign, Butler and the Patriots seemingly butted heads during the 2017 offseason. The team assigned a first-rounder tender to the restricted free agent (which he ultimately signed), and they proceeded to sign Stephon Gilmore to a lucrative $65MM contract. Butler was demoted to the second spot on the depth chart, and the Patriots’ manipulation of his contract situation led to some ill will.
Butler was productive again in 2017, but he was mysteriously benched during the Patriots’ Super Bowl loss to the Eagles. Butler ended up bolting for Tennessee back in March, signing a five-year, $61MM contract ($30MM guaranteed).
Fortunately for the Patriots, they probably never expected that kind of production from an undrafted rookie. On the flip side, when Butler made the game-winning interception during the Super Bowl, they probably never thought that he’d willingly leave the organization three years later.
Patriots Notes: Kraft, Kaepernick, Brady, Gronk
Add Robert Kraft to the list of executives and coaches who have been deposed in the collusion grievance filed by Colin Kaepernick. TMZ reports that the Patriots owner gave his deposition to lawyers yesterday. Seahawks coach Pete Carroll and general manager John Schneider were deposed earlier this week, as was Broncos general manager John Elway.
We learned back in October that Kaepernick had planned a grievance against the NFL, claiming that teams conspired to keep him out of the league. The whole situation stems from the quarterback’s decision to kneel during the national anthem back in 2016. A five-year starter in San Francisco, the 30-year-old was unable to find a gig during the 2017 campaign.
While the Broncos and Seahawks had been connected to Kaepernick, the Patriots never showed any reported interest in the embattled quarterback. Of course, Kraft has enough clout around the NFL, so he could provide lawyers with valuable information. While Kaepernick was present for previous depositions, it’s uncertain whether he attend Kraft’s.
Let’s take a look at some more notes out of New England…
- Tom Brady has yet to attend the team’s voluntary OTAs, and ESPN’s Mike Reiss writes that his absence shouldn’t be cause for concern. Former Patriots players Matt Chatham and Rob Ninkovich said Brady’s decision to spend time with his family “isn’t a big deal,” although it might be notable if the quarterback misses the “third phase” of the workouts. As Reiss writes, this is the point of OTAs that Brady generally builds a rapport with his new wideouts. With three new receivers on the roster (including Jordan Matthews, Cordarrelle Patterson, and rookie Braxton Berrios), it might be telling if Brady also sits out this portion of OTAs.
- The Patriots adjusted receiver Phillip Dorsett‘s contract earlier this week, but Reiss writes the move “shouldn’t have a trickle-down effect” on a Rob Gronkowski extension. The Patriots saved around $300K thanks to the new contract, and the renegotiation was more about Dorsett’s standing on the roster. The organization could have easily cut bait with the wideout, but the reduced salary means he can stick around and compete for a roster spot.
- In case you missed it, the Patriots signed offensive lineman Jason King yesterday. This is the Purdue product’s third stint with the organization, and he was waived by New England only last week. To make room on the roster, the team waived wideout Chris Lacy. The Oklahoma State product had joined the team as an undrafted free agent earlier this month.
McDaniels Saw Role Expand During Draft
Josh McDaniels said recently his role remains the same, despite Robert Kraft and Bill Belichick helping to convince him to stay and thus spurn the Colts. But the longtime Patriots offensive coordinator’s presence in what’s generally a “notoriously small” draft room was indeed an expansion of McDaniels’ responsibilities, Albert Breer of SI.com notes. Although many teams may have written McDaniels off after his controversial flip-flop, he was a perennial fixture in HC carousels leading up to his 11th-hour decision to back out of a Colts deal. But the 42-year-old assistant insists he still wants to be a head coach, and taking part in draft-day proceedings would stand to further bolster those hopes.
Minor NFL Transactions: 5/18/18
Here are Friday’s minor moves.
Cleveland Browns
- Claimed off waivers from Seahawks: DE Marcell Frazier
- Waived: LB Austin Calitro
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: WR Kayaune Ross
- Waived: WR Kolby Listenbee
New England Patriots
- Signed: OL Jason King
- Waived: WR Chris Lacy
Matt Light On Patriots Replacing Nate Solder
Last month, the Patriots drafted Georgia tackle Isaiah Wynn in the first round to help replace Nate Solder. Former Patriots lineman Matt Light believes filling the void will be a tall task.
In addition to Wynn, the Patriots also have veteran Trent Brown after their trade with the Niners as well as veterans LaAdrian Waddle and Matt Tobin to try at left tackle. Marcus Cannon remains with the squad, but offensive line coach Dante Scarnecchia says he’ll continue to man the right side. Those four players have their work cut out for them, but Light feels that they might be able to do an adequate job.
Draft Signings: Patriots, Ravens, Raiders
Here’s a look at today’s non-first round draft signings:
- The Patriots signed second-round cornerback Duke Dawson. The Pats moved around quite a bit on draft weekend, including a trade up fro No. 63 to No. 56 to select Dawson. As shown on Roster Resource, the Florida product figures to be one of the team’s primary backups to starters Jonathan Jones and Stephon Gilmore, along with veteran Jason McCourty. Dawson’s deal is worth $4.7MM over four years, as dictated by his draft slot.
- The Ravens signed third-round tackle Orlando Brown. Per the terms of his slot, Brown will receive a four-year, $3.491MM deal. Tight end Mark Andrews, who was Brown’s teammate at Oklahoma and also selected in the third round, has also inked his deal. As of this writing, the Ravens have just two unsigned picks in first round selections Hayden Hurst and Lamar Jackson.
- The Raiders signed two draft picks today: Michigan defensive tackle Maurice Hurst (fifth round) and Oklahoma State wide receiver Marcell Ateman (seventh). Five of their nine picks now under contract, as shown on PFR’s tracker. From a talent perspective, Hurst was viewed as one of the top interior defensive linemen in the draft, but heart issues caused him to fall. The Michigan product will join fellow rookie Arden Key on the defensive line, giving the Raiders a double dose of young boom-or-bust talent.
Patriots Adjust Phillip Dorsett’s Deal
The Patriots adjusted wide receiver Phillip Dorsett‘s contract in order to open up some cap space. Dorsett was supposed to collect a $450K roster bonus on the fifth day of training camp, but that was slashed to $150K, Field Yates of ESPN.com tweets. However, he can collect on the full $450 by achieving $100K in added per-game roster bonuses and $150K in reception incentives. 
It’s not clear how many receptions Dorsett will need in order to achieve that $150K bonus, but it may be challenging at any level. Currently, Dorsett profiles as the Patriots’ fifth wide receiver, behind Julian Edelman, Chris Hogan, Kenny Britt, and Jordan Matthews. Cordarrelle Patterson is also in the mix and the Pats may use him as a wideout in addition to being a return specialist. And, of course, there’s no guarantee that Dorsett makes the roster with special teams ace Matt Slater, Malcolm Mitchell, and Braxton Berrios also under contract.
Dorsett is entering the final year of his deal with the Pats. His $1.1MM base salary is not guaranteed, so the Pats can cut him between now and September without penalty. The Pats could have extended his option through 2019 through the fifth-year option, but it was a no-brainer to decline given his lack of production thus far in the NFL.
Dorsett played sparingly in his first season with the Patriots and totaled just 194 receiving yards. His best season to date came in 2016 when he had 33 catches and 528 yards with two touchdowns for the Colts. Needless to say, the Colts were expecting more of him when taking him in the first round of the 2015 draft.
Patriots Bringing In Longtime Consultant
- The Patriots will bring in martial arts expert Joe Kim to help as a pass-rushing consultant, Ben Volin of the Boston Globe reports. Kim’s consulted with 10 teams in the past, most recently with the 2016 Browns, but his first NFL job was with Bill Belichick when he was the original Browns’ head coach in 1992.
Minor NFL Transactions: 5/14/18
Today’s minor moves (so far):
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: DT Siupeli Anau, WR C.J. Duncan, LB Airius Moore, OL Greg Pyke
- Waived: CB Elijah Battle, LB Mike Needham, OL Austin Olsen, WR Jonah Trinnaman
Baltimore Ravens
- Signed: DE Da’Sean Downey
Buffalo Bills
- Signed: FB Zach Olstad
- Waived/Injured: RB Aaron Green
Carolina Panthers
- Signed: WR Bug Howard, C Kyle Friend, T/G Quinterrius Eatmon, DE Karter Schult
- Waived/Injured: CB Zack Sanchez
Chicago Bears
- Signed: WR Matt Fleming, DB John Franklin, DB Tyrin Holloway, OL Jeremi Hall, OL Matt McCants
- Waived: OL Travis Averill, OL Cameron Lee, LB Howard Jones, LB Nyles Morgan
Cincinnati Bengals
- Signed: DT Chris Okoye, C Brand Lundblade, S Tyrice Beverette
- Waived: LB Oni Omoile, TE Scott Orndoff, CB Robenson Therezie
Cleveland Browns
- Signed DB Tigie Sankoh, QB Brogan Roback
Denver Broncos
- Waived: NT Lowell Lotulelei (Lotulelei is retiring, per Nicki Jhabvala of The Athletic, on Twitter)
Detroit Lions
- Signed: WR Deontez Alexander, TE Marcus Lucas, CB Josh Okonye
- Waived: WR Kyle Lewis
- Waived/Injured: TE Brandon Barnes
Houston Texans
- Placed on Reserve-Retired list: K.J. Malone
- Signed: T Kendell Calhoun, DE Nick Thurman
- Waived: WR Montay Crockett
- Waived/failure to disclose physical condition designation: DE Jalen Wilkerson
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: OT Jared Machorro
- Waived: C Anthony Fabiano
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed: TE Zach Conque, LB Manase Hungalu, OL Brandon Smith
- Waived: OL Avery Gennesy
Los Angeles Rams
- Signed: QB Luis Perez
New England Patriots
- Signed: P Corey Bojorquez
- Waived/NFI: WR Darren Andrews
New Orleans Saints
- Signed: OT Michael Ola
- Waived: LB Adam Bighill, OL Daronte Bouldin, S Rickey Jefferson, Bradley Sylve
Oakland Raiders
- Signed: S Dallin Leavitt, LS Drew Scott
Philadelphia Eagles
- Signed: WR/KR Tim Wilson
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed: G/T R.J. Prince
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: TE Clayton Wilson
Washington Redskins
- Signed: C Casey Dunn, LB Vontae Diggs, WR Darvin Kidsy
- Waived: WR Mikah Holder, C Sean Welsh
Jets Claim T Antonio Garcia Off Waivers
The Jets will take a flier on a recently waived Patriot. Second-year tackle Antonio Garcia will have a chance with the Jets after the team plucked him from the waiver wire, Field Yates of ESPN.com reports (on Twitter).
A 2017 third-round pick, Garcia did not play as a rookie and saw the Patriots revamp their tackle situation during the most recent draft weekend.
The Patriots waived Garcia with a non-football injury designation. The former Troy standout had blood clots in his lungs, causing him to miss last season. He spent it on the Patriots’ non-football illness list. Although New England lost Nate Solder in free agency, Isaiah Wynn and Trent Brown are now in the picture. And Garcia will head to the Jets, who also gave Kony Ealy a shot last year after the Pats cut him.
Shipping three draft choices to the Colts for the right to select Sam Darnold, the Jets did not address their tackle situation with outside help in the draft or in free agency. Kelvin Beachum started all 16 games for the Jets at left tackle last season, and Brandon Shell started 12 at right tackle. Both were top-45 tackles last season, per Pro Football Focus. The Jets re-signed Ben Ijalana as well, and Garcia is now in this mix.