5 free-agent DTs for Panthers to pair with Derrick Brown in 2021
By Noah Bryce
Adam Butler
- 2020 team – New England Patriots
Adam Butler may not be a household name but the former undrafted free-agent has shown flashes of what he can contribute when given the opportunity. On a New England Patriots team with more issues on both sides of the ball than anyone imagined, he had an impressive year.
In only four starting opportunities he tallied 18 solo tackles, six for loss, and four sacks. A stat line very similar to his senior season at Vanderbilt.
The other promising aspect of Butler’s career to date is that his stats are on the upswing. With 10 of his 15 career sacks coming in the last two years in which he only started six games.
Butler is also young at only 26-years-old. He also has an NFL frame at 6-foot-5 and weighing in at 300 pounds that come with a high football IQ and ability to adapt as the play evolves.
On a third-and-goal in Week 12 against the Arizona Cardinals, Butler made a surprising move to drop back in coverage. After the receiver caught the pass he wrapped around his front and kept him from crossing the goal line.
Later in the same game, he had a tipped pass for an interception.
While his stats aren’t the most eye-catching, he would be a Day 1 starter alongside Derrick Brown for the Carolina Panthers and take at least some attention away from him, making them both better in the process.