Malcolm Butler
2018 Stats: 69 Tackles, 1 Sack, 12 Pass Breakups, 3 Interceptions.
Malcolm Butler is arguably the biggest wild card of the entire secondary group. When Butler is on, he is a top-five cornerback in the NFL. When he is off, he can look like one of the more clueless corners in the league.
In 2018, Butler struggled mightily during the first half of the season. Butler’s technique was often undisciplined, his effort was lackluster, and his production was far from what was expected from him when he signed his $61 million contract last spring.
During the second half of the season however, Butler became the player that the Titans paid for and expected the entire time.
He was listed as one of Pro Football Focus’ “second-half stars,” with an overal grade of 80.2 from weeks 10 to 17, which was up from 51.9 in weeks one to nine.
Malcolm Butler really turned it on during the second half of the season for Tennessee. pic.twitter.com/miGUC6K9ak
— PFF (@PFF) January 4, 2019
The way that Butler ended his 2018 season should give all Titans fans hope that their $61 million didn’t exactly go to waste. If Butler can continue his shutdown corner play from the second half of the season, this defense will not only be elite, but they will be Super Bowl-ready.