Fansided

Each NFL team’s biggest breakout candidate

By Conor Dorney

Mandatory Credit: Justin Edmonds/Getty Images
Mandatory Credit: Justin Edmonds/Getty Images /
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DENVER, CO – SEPTEMBER 08: Quarterback Trevor Siemian (13) of the Denver Broncos is tackled by defensive tackle Vernon Butler (92) of the Carolina Panthers during the first quarter. The Denver Broncos hosted the Carolina Panthers on Thursday, September 8, 2016. (Photo by John Leyba/The Denver Post via Getty Images)
DENVER, CO – SEPTEMBER 08: Quarterback Trevor Siemian (13) of the Denver Broncos is tackled by defensive tackle Vernon Butler (92) of the Carolina Panthers during the first quarter. The Denver Broncos hosted the Carolina Panthers on Thursday, September 8, 2016. (Photo by John Leyba/The Denver Post via Getty Images) /

Carolina Panthers – Vernon Butler

Hailing from Louisiana Tech, 2016 draftee Vernon Butler was one of the more surprising picks of the first round. After dealing with injuries and sitting behind Star Lotuleilei in his first two seasons, Butler could be poised to break out for the Panthers in 2018.

While Butler has registered just 1.5 sacks in his NFL career to date, he could be ready to blossom with a healthy campaign that should see him getting quite a few more snaps than during his first two years in the league. With Lotuleilei out of the picture (but Dontari Poe in to replace him), Butler and Kawann Short will form an impressive, athletic duo on the interior for Carolina’s defense.

With former defensive coordinator Steve Wilks now the head man in charge with the Cardinals, his replacement Eric Washington has been mum about just how much the team will utilize Butler moving forward. Regardless of how much his snap count increases, the Panthers will need further development from Butler if they want to continue the type of defensive success that ranked them 7th-best in the league in total defense in 2017.

Much of the focus of opposing offensive lines will be on Kawann Short, meaning Vernon Butler could very well be free to wreak havoc in backfields and see a significant bump in production this season.

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