New England Patriots rumors: 3 Bills to target in 2022 NFL free agency
Why the New England Patriots should target defensive tackle Vernon Butler
While both Isaiah McKenzie and Levi Wallace could upstart their careers with the New England Patriots, a player who could revive his career playing under Bill Belichick is defensive tackle Vernon Butler.
At 6-foot-4, 330 pounds, Butler would add some beef along that Patriots’ defensive line. Yes, Christian Barmore, Davon Godchaux, Lawrence Guy and Carl Davis plugging up the middle, but as last season proved, they were often they lost the battle at the line of scrimmage as opposing teams were able to run on them.
Although Butler hasn’t been as productive with the Bills as he was during his final season with the Carolina Panthers, he is a player cable of clogging up the middle and perhaps he can find a revival in New England.
After signing a two-year, $15,000,000 million contract with the Bills in 2019, Butler should come at a bargain after a less than productive final year of his contract. On a prove-it deal, he could morph into Bill Belichick’s next Alan Branch.
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Of course, signing Vernon Butler could mark the end of Guy, whose production dipped in 2021. At 27, Butler would add more youth and size at the position and could be a nice compliment to Barmore while adding depth behind Godchaux and perhaps Byron Cowart.
Out of the three mentioned here, Butler might be the least likely of Belichick’s potential targets, but a player who could add valued depth at the position if the price is right.