Buffalo Bills: Grading the addition of defensive tackle Vernon Butler

BALTIMORE, MD - AUGUST 11: Vernon Butler #92 of the Carolina Panthers looks on during a preseason NFL game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on August 11, 2016 in Baltimore, Maryland. The Ravens defeated the Panthers 22-19. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

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CHARLOTTE, NC – SEPTEMBER 18: Daniel Kilgore #67 of the San Francisco 49ers blocks Vernon Butler #92 of the Carolina Panthers during the game at Bank of America Stadium on September 18, 2016 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /

Team Fit

Similar to Mario Addison, this is an easy one to answer mainly because fans have already seen how he performs in a Sean McDermott style defense. However, the concern lies in the fact that his best season, which was last year, came when he was a defensive end in a 3-4 style defense.

This will be a change for Butler as he will go back to defensive tackle in McDermott’s 4-3 defense.

As for what Butler brings to this defense, he is an incredibly athletic player for the position and his size. He shows tremendous burst and speed that allows him to collapse the pocket and put pressure on the opposing quarterback.

The question will become if Butler’s production was because he started to trust in his abilities or if it was the style of defense. This is a question that can only be answered over the course of the season and that drags this grade down a bit.

Grade: C+

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