The labor agreement is irrelevant to his decision. If there is a lock out he wouldnt get the money whether he opted out or not.
I think you should look at this from a different perspective. I think it may help you see the history of BBs personell moves.
The quality of a player is part of the equation.
The cost of a player is part of the equation.
The Patriots sign players when the quality exceeds the cost.
They will not sign the best player, but the player who's ability exceeds his cost by the largest margin.
Moreover, the quality of the player is not determined by his career to date, but by the projection of his play during the contract.
The NFL typically pays players based upon what they HAVE DONE IN THE PAST. The 'better' the player, in perception and to the market, typically, the more experienced, older, and closer to decline the player is also.
Nnamdi will get a contract based upon his ability in the prime of his career, but that contract will extend beyond his prime. He also will get a contract based upon being considered the best cb in the NFL.
BB will sign players who are entering their prime, or who he believes are better (even just in his system) than the market perceives them to be.
This is why you see acquisitions such as Dillon and Moss. At the peak of their 'popularity' they were even better than when he acquired them, but the cost was prohibitive. As their cost decreased, even though they were no longer in their prime, their ability finally exceeded their cost.
Another way to say it is:
BB will not bring in an overrated player, no matter how good they are.
BB will bring in all of the underrated players he can get.
BB will get a correctly rated player only if necessary and only if the need is very high.
(By overrated and underrated above I mean 'rated' based on the cost of both compensation and/or contract)