Free Agent Malcolm Butler In Orange And Blue?

By Jordan

The Tennessee Titans have released cornerback Malcolm Butler after 3 years.  This saves the Titans around $10 million in cap space. Butler is now a free agent and can sign with any team.  One franchise that should take a look at him is the Denver Broncos.

                                Butler is one of the top cornerbacks in free agency behind Patrick Peterson.  Butler will be entering his 8^th year in the NFL.  Last year for the Titans, Butler showed he can still play in this league.  Quarterbacks couldn’t throw his way without the ball being batted away or picked off.  Butler totaled 4 interceptions which tied a career high.  He had 14 passes defended. 

                When a receiver or a running back ran with the ball in the open field, Butler rarely missed bringing them down.  Butler was involved in 100 tackles.  In his career, Butler has 17 interceptions, 406 tackles, and 83 passes defended.

The Broncos are familiar with Butler since he played with the New England Patriots from 2014 to 2017.  The Broncos should look at a veteran cornerback to help this defense.   They let go of A.J. Bouye after 1 season.  The only other cornerback the Broncos have with multiple seasons of NFL experience is Bryce Callahan.  The Broncos need help at the position.

                The Broncos could always draft one with the 9^th pick overall to add depth.  In expert mock drafts, Denver is projected to either pick Patrick Surtain out of the University of Alabama or Caleb Farley from the University of Virginia.  Both of these athletes may help the Broncos secondary but Denver won’t know what they have in them since they haven’t played an NFL down.  They will get that experience during preseason games.

                Butler makes more sense.  He has the NFL skill to help the Broncos improve in the secondary.  He will be able to be in coverage to make plays either by knocking the ball away or picking it off.  Quarterbacks will stop looking his way and throw to Callahan’s side of the field.

                The Broncos should give Butler a call.  Denver has around $32.6 million to spend in cap space.  Butler may not cost that much.  His contract could be anywhere between $7 and $10 million a year, giving the Broncos flexibility to sign other players. 

                Denver will try to use their remaining cap space wisely.  They would like to improve on their 5-11 record.   Butler could be the missing piece for them in the secondary.