Malcolm Butler
(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

New England Patriots cornerback Malcolm Butler could wind up with the New York Jets when he becomes a free agent.

The New York Jets are looking into signing New England Patriots cornerback Malcolm Butler, according to Calvin Watkins of Newsday.

Butler, set to become a free agent on March 14, likely won’t be returning to the Patriots after he was benched during Super Bowl 52. Watkins notes that, for the Jets, it’s all about the price to bring him aboard.

The question now is how much interest do the Jets have in the Patriots cornerback? According to Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News, Gang Green wants to add two starting cornerbacks this offseason. Re-signing Morris Claiborne remains a priority, while. Mehta notes that Buster Skrine, who, per Spotrac, currently carries an $8.5 million cap hit for 2018, would be an ideal slot cornerback for them.

The Jets need a cornerback and would like to have a number one cornerback in addition to Claiborne. Does Butler fit that description? He is one of only three cornerbacks to have at least 10 pass breakups and two interceptions in each of the last three seasons. He was named to the Pro Bowl in 2015 and was a second-team All-Pro in 2016. Is that enough to be considered the number one cornerback?  Former running back DeAngelo Williams says that Butler is the number one defensive free agent in the NFL.

“You are my No. 1,” Williams said on ESPN’s NFL Live, per Ryan Hannable of WEEI. “I cannot believe you didn’t play in the Super Bowl. I am pissed off because I know if you had been [in the game], you would have made a difference. You would have made a difference. You’re No. 1 on my list because you are going to be the highest-paid player out of all [the defensive free agents] because you know what it takes to win.”

Butler had two interceptions, three forced fumbles, and one sack this past season.

I graduated from Marist College with a Bachelors in Sports Communications in 2011. I am a huge sports fan. I also write articles for TheCelebrityCafe.com.