Bob Sturm: Vernon Butler May Be the Best DL Prospect In The Entire Deep Group

[BrAinPaiNt]

Vernon Butler, DT, La Tech - 6'3, 323 - Senior - #9

Now that we are about 3 months into this process and have covered almost all of the names that are continuously mentioned in the 2016 Draft, it is wonderful to stumble upon a prospect who is considerably better than I first thought. There is no question that the big school guys get the first wave of excitement, but anyone who has followed this draft season knows that there is an uncommon level of quality at Louisiana Tech this year.


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[waving monkey]

Fletcher Cox ? I'm in.

 

[Chuck 54]

WoW....

 

[reddyuta]

Is he on our radar? I like him behind Rankins as the top 2 DTs for our system.

 

[RandyOh]

He's gonna be a beast run stuffer and if he can find the right coach, he will be a destructive force in the pass rush.

 

[YosemiteSam]

Pick at #4 (probably DL/CB/QB), then try to trade back up in to the late first and grab him.

If he learned to use his leverage better, he would become a real force. (I think the Fletcher Cox relation would be there if so) He plays a bit to upright (or tall) at times.

 

[marchetta]

Drew Boylhart (The Huddle Report) ranks him #22 player, and #2 DT, in draft. Here's the write-up (PARAPHRASED)...

Vernon Butler DT Louisiana Tech

STRENGTHS
Big, strong, and powerful DT who looks like a slimmer version of Vince Wilfork. He's primarily a run stuffer, who has the ability to collapse the pocket. Due to his strength, he changes the line of scrimmage virtually every play. He's stout at the point of attack. And, has the lateral agility to string plays out, allowing others to run free and make tackles behind the line of scrimmage. He's not a pass-rush threat, but if an OLman makes a mistake, he has the agility, balance, and speed to be disruptive. He can play NT in a 3-4 or at DT in a 4-3 defense. Vernon will control the line of scrimmage with power, balance, and athletic talent that most players wish they had. He is a pure Defensive Tackle with natural athletic talent, size and strength to impact quickly.

CONCERNS
He needs work on some techniques. Right now he gets by on his talent and athleticism, but he's going to have to learn better techniques to maximize his potential. As soon as he does, he will become the type of player you build your defense around.

TALENT BOARD ROUND: 1
Right now, he plays on natural talent. But, at the next level, it won't come that easy. He looks on film to have the work ethic necessary to continue to improve. He'll need to learn to get off blocks quicker, and he has to play with better leverage if he's going to be successful bull-rushing a NFL Center. Vernon has the potential to impact the way Vince Wilfork impacted in his prime. He can control, and re-set, the LOS during a run, and collapse the pocket against the pass. I am big on building teams through the lines first. If you can't run the ball on offense, or stop the run on defense, your team will not be successful. Vernon is the type of player that will make your defense successful.

 

[Teague31]

Would take him at 34 in a heartbeat.

 

[Risen Star]

He's definitely one of my favorites. Would be an intriguing option at 34.

 

[Kaiser]

If we trade down from 4 and pick up extra 2nd and 3rd round picks, there is a very good chance some terrific DTs are available at those picks. Guys like this and Billings are monsters but play a non-premium position and still need development time, you have to think at least one will drop from the last first round to middle or end of the 2nd round.

 

[Bocephus]

If we didn't sign Thorton I would love him in the 2nd, but now a 1 tech isn't the biggest of needs, a future qb, a corner, a defensive end, and maybe even a receiver are big needs

 

[DBOY3141]

Is he "quick twitch" enough for Rod??

 

[slick325]

This is who I would love if there at #34. Not looking promising though...kid may be gone in the 20's.

 

[Alexander]

Is he on our radar? I like him behind Rankins as the top 2 DTs for our system.

Same.

 

[Future]

If we didn't sign Thorton I would love him in the 2nd, but now a 1 tech isn't the biggest of needs, a future qb, a corner, a defensive end, and maybe even a receiver are big needs

Don't let his weight fool you, Butler is not a 1-tech. He could probably rotate there at times, but he's a 3-tech or a base SDE.

He's probably a best fit in a 3-4, but he's probably system-proof.

 

[kiheikiwi]

Hell yes !
Been my pet cat since day one ... just because we took Thornton should not preclude us from taking a better prospect in Butler. I would be ecstatic if we took him at # 34.
Say we wanted Prescott or someone in round 3 as a target. Took Ramsey or Jack, Hell even Hargraves at # 4 and Butler at # 34. I would be drunk for a week...

 

[Bigdog]

I would love to have him. Did a draft the other day and got him with our 3 round pick. He won't be there that long. I think he might go in the first.

 

[RS12]

Vernon Butler May Be the Best DL Prospect In The Entire Deep Group

Said to be highly coveted by Detroit.

 

[phildadon86]

Said to be highly coveted by Detroit.

Him with Ansah would be bad

 

[BigD5]

Nah. It's Sheldon Rankins. He was absolutely unblockable at the Senior Bowl