Vernon Butler: Perfect 1st-Round Draft Pick for the Packers
The 1st round of the 2016 NFL Draft is just a couple of days away, giving fans and so-called experts one final chance to (likely) fail miserably at predicting who is going where. The Green Bay Packers' roster looks to be on the precipice of championship caliber, and adding defensive tackle Vernon Butler is what they need.
With that in mind, there are plenty of players that can be targeted as logical choices this year, even if GM Ted Thompson's decision-making often throws us all for a loop. Sitting with the 27th overall selection, he could go in tons of different directions in the opening round...or swap it out for more picks.
Butler, a 6-foot-4, 332-pound stalwart out of Louisiana Tech, has been projected to go anywhere from the middle of the 1st round to halfway through round 2. That's obviously one of the problems in trying to correctly identify who is drafting whom.
On average, Butler appears to be slotted as the 5th or 6th-ranked defensive tackle in the draft, giving him a good shot at falling to the Packers, but unlikely to slip very far into the 2nd day. If he went earlier than 27, that probably means Green Bay nabs a "higher-ranked" DT that another team passed on.
However, there are a number of reasons that Butler looks like the perfect fit for the Packers and Thompson's philosophy.
Butler's versatility to play different spots along the defensive line is a huge plus for a team like the Packers as they install various formations and rotate guys in and out to keep them fresh. With B.J. Raji gone and Mike Pennel suspended for 4 games, Butler is ideal for the team.
His size and upper body strength allows him to hold the middle, while his burst and lateral movement will play well on an end. Butler utilizes his length well when initiating contact, as well as getting underneath blockers to get leverage in the trenches.
Butler already does a terrific job using his hands to get a quick push on offensive linemen, and he can use a dynamic bull rush to get pressure in the backfield. He may not always be the one getting sacks, but he'll open up lanes and edges to free the linebackers to attack the quarterback.
He also has a knack for shooting the gaps himself and continually showed excellent speed (considering his size) in pursuit, leading to 23.5 tackles for loss in 27 games during his junior and senior seasons. Butler's quickness and agility would be a perfect complement to Mike Daniels who relies on more of a power game.
Butler's combination of brawn and athleticism can create matchup problems along the line, make him valuable in any defensive package, and ensure he can succeed in any role - just like he showed at Louisiana Tech where he played in different positions in their multiple fronts.
The fact is, Butler has all the skill and physical tools to both shut down the run game and disrupt the opposition's aerial attack. He was a dominant force during Senior Bowl practices, making people take notice of his mix of balance and impressive moves against big-name talent from big-name schools.
There are some comparisons to be made between Butler and Raji, which would obviously be a good thing. Raji was a better "anchor" for the line while Butler brings a higher ceiling as a pass rusher and pest all over the field. Plus, he has the advantage in height and length which should serve him well at the next level.
Scouts have also lauded Butler for his consistent energy over the course of games and the season, giving an all-out effort regardless of the score or situation. While some may not see this as a big deal, it definitely plays into the idea of character and motivation, things that can be the difference between a stud and a bust
We know character is a component of the what the Packers look at, and I haven't found any negatives about Butler's personality or makeup, so that also give him a plus grade.
He has worked hard to put himself into this position as Butler was just a 2-star recruit coming out of high school. From all accounts, he has a passion for the game itself and is a fierce competitor, traits that go a long way when you're battling on the line of scrimmage.
Butler also fits the mold of a Thompson guy in that he comes from a "lower tier" school. Louisiana Tech plays in Conference USA, ranked well below the Power Five conferences. Sometimes Thompson reaches a bit too far for smaller-school guys, but he's also hit on a number of them.
Keep in mind, Butler turned down offers to play at Ole Miss and Mississippi State, a pair of programs in the Southeastern Conference (SEC). Most people put the SEC as the top football conference in the nation, and Ole Miss beat the 2015 National Champion, Alabama, in each of the last 2 seasons.
Players like Butler who profile as a big-school athlete, but succeed at lesser-known programs, often make for the best under-the-radar performers who continually feel they have something to prove.
Once again, Butler could easily be scooped up ahead of the Packers. The Washington Redskins (21st pick) and Seattle Seahawks (26th pick) are definitely looking at defensive tackles, so they could like him better than the other options in the draft.
Thompson and company could also have Butler lower on their own board and think a different "best player available" is the way to go. Another option is that the Packers trade the pick to move back and acquire additional selections. There is some depth in the draft, which Thompson could use to his advantage.
Either way, I'm officially declaring that Vernon Butler would be the perfect 1st-round draft pick for the Green Bay Packers. If I'm wrong for any number of reasons, just add me to the list of about 1.6 million people who were also inaccurate in their NFL draft predictions.