KC Chiefs: Who are the draft’s best interior defensive line fits?
By Jacob Milham
Tennessee’s Matthew Butler
Tennessee’s Matthew Butler is overshadowed by other SEC defenders but is a good prospect in his own right.
Butler had a consistent career for Tennessee, totaling 152 tackles and 9.5 sacks in 44 games. in his 2021 season alone, he recorded 47 tackles, 8.5 for loss, and five sacks in 13 games.
Butler is an undersized interior defender, standing 6’4″ and weighing in at 299 lbs. But, he plays bigger than his size. His stout center of gravity and hand placement makes it hard for a lineman to move Butler out of his gap. Butler can exploit a one-on-one matchup in run defense, easily shedding blocks on demand. He had some good reps at this year’s Shrine Bowl, serving as a good prospects’ measuring stick.
#Tennessee DT Matthew Butler (6034, 299) flashed throughout the first day of practice at the East-West @ShrineBowl.
— Jordan Reid (@Jordan_Reid) January 29, 2022
Quick first step, active hands, and firm at the point of attack. From drill-to-drill, he continued to put together stand out moments. pic.twitter.com/qP1EI3bENL
Unlike Winfrey and Horne, Butler can be overpowered sometimes by an interior lineman. His upper-body strength compensates for his unbalanced and underdeveloped lower body. It could just be his physique or lack of proper training at Tennessee, but it is concerning. Also, he has a great initial burst but can lose that against a heavy-handed blocker. That initial step is still impressive though and will serve Butler well in the NFL.
Butler will likely hear his name called early on Day 3 of the draft. He is a developmental prospect, likely only supplementing a rotation during his rookie year. But, the SEC pedigree helps this toolsy prospect be a viable option for Kansas City.