Throughout the multiple moves the Bills made early in free agency, Vernon Butler is among the most intriguing. The defensive tackle has similar, yet unique roots, compared to some of his new teammates and fellow recent arrivals.
Butler will certainly have a spot carved out for him with the departure of Jordan Phillips in free agency, but he’s joining what is now maybe the deepest position group for the Bills at defensive tackle. There, Buffalo has Ed Oliver, Star Lotulelei, Harrison Phillips, Vincent Taylor and another new face, Quinton Jefferson.
A lot of talent there too, but Butler is certainly a guy that has the capabilities to standout among them all.
With that, here are eight things to know about new Bills defensive tackle Vernon Butler:
First round Carolina connection
Of course let’s start in the the Tar Heel State. Butler is, naturally, a former draft pick of the Carolina Panthers. And yes, Buffalo general manager Brandon Beane and head coach Sean McDermott were among the folks who were there when he was selected.
The 25-year-old comes from the Panthers to the Bills directly as his rookie contract expired this offseason. Unlike some other Carolina boys (but like some such as Lotulelei), he was a former first-round selection of the them in 2016. Butler wasn’t sure if he was going to be a first-round pick and attended the draft anyway and was selected at No. 30 overall out of Louisiana Tech.
Despite that, his career has but up in down. In 52 career games, he’s only made nine starts, notching 77 tackles, eight sacks, three forced fumbles, two passes defended and 10 tackles for loss. But there’s a positive spin to those numbers that we’ll get to next.