Patriots: 10 most valuable players of 2015 regular season

Patriots: 10 Most Valuable Players from 2015 Regular Season

iDec 20, 2015; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) reacts with quarterback Tom Brady (12) after scoring a touchdown against the Tennessee Titans in the first quarter at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports /

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8. Malcolm Butler

Butler followed up his Super Bowl XLIX heroism by earning a Pro Bowl nod in his sophomore season. Game in and game out, he acted and played like a true No. 1 cornerback.

Pro Football Focus ranked him the 22nd overall cornerback in the NFL, and his 15 passes defended were tied for 15th most among all defensive backs. You’d be hard-pressed to find a better football story over the past two years than that of Butler, who went from West Alabama to undrafted anonymity to Super Bowl savior to elite cornerback.

4 players that must step up in the playoffs

One could make a case that right now, Butler is a better cornerback to have on your roster than Darrelle Revis. At just 25 years of age, Butler has plenty of top-notch years left in him, while the 30-year-old Revis is certainly no spring chicken. In five years, Butler will still be at the top of his game, and Revis will most likely be on the downswing, if not already retired.

Next: 7. Chandler Jones

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