Las Vegas Raiders 2022 NFL Draft grade: DL Matthew Butler
By Brad Weiss
The Las Vegas Raiders continue to stack talent along their defensive line, this time adding Tennessee defensive lineman Matthew Butler.
In the fourth round, the Las Vegas Raiders added LSU defensive tackle Neil Farrell Jr., so it was pretty clear that they could be done in terms of the position group going forward. Remember, the Silver and Black did a nice job stacking some veteran talent at the defensive tackle position this offseason, so looking at the line on the other side of the ball made more sense at pick No. 175 overall.
Well, this has been a wild draft for the Raiders, and the rest of the NFL, so why not pick another defensive tackle in the fifth round? That is exactly what the Raiders did, as they selected Tennessee star defensive lineman Matthew Butler, a player with the size and speed to play on the inside, or even kick to the outside.
Butler was a four-star recruit coming out of high school and was a full-time starter for the Vols this past season. An Academic All-American, Butler was a monster for the Volunteers, and since 2019, he has the second-most defensive stops of any DL in the SEC according to Pro Football Focus.
Raiders not taking any chances along the defensive line
It is very clear that David Ziegler and his staff are not taking any chances when it comes to the defensive line, as both Butler and Farrell figure to play big roles as rookies. Butler is a guy who could play up and down the defensive line, but if he is going to stay inside, he is going to have to put on some more weight.
Still, this is an elite athlete, and someone who many draft experts felt would be a Day 2 pick, maybe being selected late in the third round.
Based on need, this was not a great pick for the Raiders but based on talent, and potential down the road, Butler could end up being a steal in the fifth round. Overall, Ziegler and his staff have had a plan today, moving up to get the players they wanted, and in Butler’s case, falling back a few spots landed them a solid defensive lineman.
Grade: B+