That is exactly why they would get one. Look does anyone here think the Pats are going to sign a Free Agent with an average annual salary above 10 million? Anyone? That is what Collins is looking for and someone will give it to him. There is no way that the Pats retain the all of the 14 UFA's they are going to have this off season. Most will get signed elsewhere. and no 5 2 million a year players do not cancel out losing 1 10 million dollar one, the salaries have to be comparable. The only way you don't get comp is if they sign more UFA then they lose, which is highly doubtful considering they already have 38 players under contract for next year and 10 draft picks. Also keep in mind that all signings do not count for or against the calculations for comp picks, the player lost or signed has to be a true UFA, not a RFA, or a player cut by his former team.
THE ONLY WAY THAT THIS MOVE MAKES SENSE IS THAT THE PATS EXPECT TO LOSE MORE THAN 4 HIGH PRICED UFAs NEXT YEAR!!
So maybe this move doesn't mean that the Pats are going to resign Hightower, Sheard, Bennett, etc. Maybe BB is looking at losing more than 4 UFAs and not signing that many. The NFL will only issue a max of 4 comp picks to any team.
FYI Butler will be a RFA, so if he signs elsewhere the Patriots would get the corresponding draft pick to what he will be tendered (which should be a #1), so he doesn't count in the comp pick formula.