Vernon

Butler

A March signing, Butler was brutal in run defense for the Bills in 2021 and apparently the Raiders didn’t care for what they saw either. The 28-year-old lineman will try to catch on elsewhere as depth in a rotation, but there’s not much reason to believe he’ll be more than that.

Butler joined the Bills on a two-year, $16 million contract in 2020. He was coming off a career year with the Panthers but failed to keep up the success in Buffalo. After recording 6.5 sacks in 2019, he did not take down an opposing quarterback once in 24 games with the Bills. Pro Football Focus graded him as a poor run-defender in 2021 as well. The interior of Las Vegas’s defensive line is particularly weak, so Butler should be able to find a rotational role in his new home. However, he projects as a placeholder for a potential rookie added in the upcoming draft.

Butler took a paycut to remain with the team, and other veterans will be doing the same this offseason with the NFL salary cap shrinking. Assuming NT Star Lotulelei opts back in, Butler will be a rotational member only. The 2016 first-rounder hasn’t lived up to his pre-draft expectations through five NFL seasons. He went sackless in Buffalo last year.

Buffalo continues to bring in people, both coaches and players, from Carolina as they chase their current “win now” window. Butler will get $9.3 million guaranteed and be tasked with solidifying the Bills’ 18th ranked run DVOA defense. With the Panthers last season, Butler set career-highs in all statistical categories, including sacks (6.0), QB hits (8), and TFLs (7).

The 30th overall pick back in 2016, Butler has not come close to matching his draft cost and was limited to 330 rotational snaps last season. He will likely fill a similar role this year before leaving for free agency next spring.

The No. 30 overall pick of the draft, Butler is a rotational player. He went down after 10 snaps this afternoon.

The Panthers’ first-rounder will be week to week. Butler has played only 64 snaps through three games.

Butler returned to practice Monday after missing three games with a high-ankle sprain. He appeared to tweak the ankle during a drill and finished practice on the exercise bike. He will likely be listed as limited on the injury report.

Butler has been sidelined since Week 3 with a high-ankle sprain. The first-round pick should return this week.

It comes with a fifth-year team option for 2020. Butler was a star at Louisiana Tech, winning with power and quickness. He has an extremely high ceiling and will slide in behind starters Star Lotulelei and Kawann Short.