Vernon Butler NFL Draft 2016: Scouting Report, Grade for Panthers Rookie

POSITIVES

A two-year starter at Louisiana Tech, Vernon Butler heads to the NFL as a versatile lineman able to play anywhere from 0-technique out to the 5-tech spot. A massive man at 323 pounds, Butler has cat-like quickness and light feet to be a problem for quarterbacks and running backs alike.

A powerful, angry bull-rusher, Butler gets into the backfield and makes plays there. He added 10 tackles for a loss and three sacks while playing over the tackle in 2015. If Butler gets his hands underneath the pads of a blocker, it’s game over for them, as he’ll forklift them off the ball.

He’s quick enough to win with his first step, but what makes Butler so intriguing is his ability to win with second and third moves when countering blockers.

Butler plays low and with consistent push from his legs. He’ll churn and fight for penetration and can be a nuisance to block on rushing downs because he’s strong enough to hold double-teams and keep interior linemen from getting upfield.

From a frame standpoint, Butler is close to perfect. He has thick, strong legs matched with great length (35 ⅛-inch arms) and big, strong hands (10 ¾”). He has the reach to lock out blockers and the stout lower body to anchor. Butler uses his hands well to shed blocks and will push and pull to create space as a rusher.

NEGATIVES

A bit of a one-year wonder, Butler made his money against smaller competition in Conference USA play. Because of this, he was allowed to get by with less than ideal pad height and body control at the point of attack. Learning to keep his pads down and perhaps improving lower-body strength will be keys for Butler.

At Louisiana Tech and during the Senior Bowl week, Butler wowed us with movement skills, but what you rarely saw was him locating the ball while blocked and getting after it. He was wonderful at splitting blocks and then locating but wasn’t as skilled as locking out his man, spotting the ball and then shedding the blocker to get the ball.

Butler’s individual traits are impressive, but they didn’t lead to much production at Louisiana Tech, which has to be questioned. Is he a player with upside due to his abilities who needs refinement at the pro level, or is what you see what you get? That question will keep scouts up at night as they make a final grade on Butler.

COMBINE RESULTS

Height: 6'4"

Weight: 323 lbs.

40 Time: 5.33s

3-Cone: 7.82s

Short Shuttle: 4.76s

PRO COMPARISON: Dan Williams, Oakland Raiders
FINAL GRADE: 6.60/9.00 (Round 2—Future Starter)