Carolina Panthers: How Vernon Butler Impacts Rest of Draft

The Carolina Panthers came into the first round with a clear set of needs to address. Losing Josh Norman to free agency created a void that many people expected the Panthers to attack in the first round. However, the Cincinnati Bengals may have thrown a wrench into those plans when they drafted William Jackson III at number 24.

Carolina responded my adding Vernon Butler to their roster in a move that’s very similar to their selections in the past but still a selection that many didn’t see coming.

Butler joins a defensive line group that boasts a great roster. Kony Ealy, Kawann Short, Star Lotulelei and Charles Johnson make up a group that could be the best front four in the NFL. Butler’s addition to this team provides some additional depth and another player that can get pressure to the quarterback. Butler’s selection adds strength to that group, but also sends a wider message that goes along with how the Panthers GM Dave Gettleman has long worked: defensive line comes before defensive backs.

Gettleman has long practiced avoiding giving big, long-term deals to defensive backs. This is the exact situation that led to Norman becoming a Washington Redskin. But drafting Butler instead of another corner back shows that Gettleman continues to place pressure on the quarterback as a premium for this Carolina team. That still leaves cornerback as a wide open position for the Panthers and as David Newton of ESPN reported, Gettleman casually answered the question of what’s planned for day number two.

“Yeah, I think so,” Gettleman said when asked if he will draft a cornerback in the second round.

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As with any other selection that is made during the draft, there will be individuals who cheer each move and others who resent each one. This selection of Butler is a very interesting pick because it draws the question of whether or not Carolina will find value in a defensive back later on in the draft. Norman was a fifth-round pick who grew into a star player. Unfortunately, that can’t be said with every late-draft pick.

Carolina’s defensive backfield is already shaky as Robert McClain, Brandon Boykin and Bene Benwikere are three men to consider for big time on the field but none of them have performed at a high level to this point in their careers. Antonio Cromartie is available as a free agent, but at 32 years old the question remains as to whether or not he can produce at the same level he did throughout this career.

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As the second day of the NFL Draft kicks off, Panthers fans and media experts will closely watch who the team picks up with the 62^nd overall pick. Defensive back would be the “safe” choice, but do not be surprised if the team selects a long-term option at running back or another body to add to their offensive line. Each of these choices would push back the priority of finding a defensive back and create a conversation point that will follow this team into the regular season.

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