The Patriots are trying to work out an extension for soon to be restricted free agent Malcolm Butler. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

Undrafted cornerback Malcolm Butler is no longer just known for saving the day in Super Bowl 49. He has turned himself into one of the best corners in the entire league. Butler is scheduled to become a restricted free agent this offseason but NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport has reported that the Patriots are expected to try to lock him up long term.

“The Patriots are expected to explore a new contract. Compensating an underpaid player, a year early, at slightly below market-level is a good management strategy”.

The Patriots can place a first round tender on Butler for $2.879 million. That essentially means that any NFL team offer Butler a contract would have to give their 2017 first round to New England to sign Butler. No NFL team is obviously going to do that which gives the Patriots a nice time frame to work out an extension.

Butler, 26, reigns from tiny Western Alabama and went undrafted 3 years ago. Given the success Butler has had in New England, I expect him to be willing to take slightly less long term for a big pay raise in 2017.