Big year in contract season in different scheme
Butler comes to the Bills the same way Shaq Lawson departs. Both players were 2016 first-round picks and had their fifth-year options declined by their respective teams. In response, both also had career-best seasons last year. .
Some injury issues held Butler back years prior, but he still never even made a start until last year, and his career-high snaps played was last season at only 40 percent. But having said that, he racked up 6.5 sacks, ironically enough, the same amount as Lawson, along with seven tackles for loss, 32 tackles and three forced fumbles.
The most noteworthy part of Butler’s improved play is that it came in a 3-4 defense. The Panthers played in a 4-3, the same one the Bills play in, during his first few seasons and then they switched last season. We’re going to find out how much of Butler’s breakout was scheme and how much of it was perhaps some youthful and injury filled troubles for him.
For what it’s worth, in 2017, Pro Football Focus graded him a career-best 68.7 overall mark. Last season he was only at a 59.0, so there’s reason to believe he can still thrive with the Bills. Butler will likely play a 3-tech spot that can fill in as a 1-tech, need be. Like what Jordan Phillips did.
Vernon Butler with a small sliver of redemption pic.twitter.com/38NWkwVYFX
— Panthers 24/7 (@Panthers24_7) September 29, 2019