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Patriots Position Switch: Malcolm Butler as wide receiver?

By Connor Fulton

Dec 27, 2015; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New England Patriots cornerback Malcolm Butler (21) prior to the game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim O
Dec 27, 2015; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New England Patriots cornerback Malcolm Butler (21) prior to the game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim O /
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To help pass the time until we can talk about the real football that transpired at New England Patriots training camp, we are continuing our Patriots Position Switch series. Today, it’s Malcolm Butler who we are picturing in this fantasy world lining up as a wide receiver.

At 5-foot-11, 190 pounds Butler fits the bill as a wide receiver. If he were to actually switch positions, Butler would have to bulk up a bit (closer to Julian Edelman’s 200 pounds) as well as find a way to play “taller” by creating separation from his cornerback, high-pointing passes, and so on.

Recent installments in Patriots Position Switch Series:

Patriots Position Switch: WR Logan Ryan

Patriots Position Switch: RB Dont’a Hightower

Patriots Position Switch: CB Julian Edelman

The traits that serve Butler well as a cornerback would translate pretty well over to the position Butler works against. Butler’s burst and quickness would help him get open in tight spaces; his tenacity would make him a willing blocker in the open field; his ball skills would naturally carry over into the pass catcher tool kit.

Pats not close to extensions with Butler, Hightower, Collins

Let’s take a step back and realize that Butler is an athletic freak. He is under 6-foot, but his jumping ability and surprising length make Butler a good match against wide receivers of taller builds. More than anything, Butler’s athleticism would be his greatest asset in a position switch to wide receiver.

It is not uncommon for elite cornerbacks to try their hand at wide receiver every now and then. Of course, Deion Sanders caught 36 passes for 475 yards and a touchdown in 1996, and in recent years, Charles Woodson, Deltha O’Neal, Champ Bailey and others have lined up wide.

Next: 10 Most Exciting Sophomore Pros on Pats Roster

Our Patriots Position Switch series here on Musket Fire carries on tomorrow as we envision spark plug ball carrier Dion Lewis not as a running back, but as a cornerback.

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