The Pantehrs may have added to their history of first-round draft success. NFL Draft analysts weigh in after Carolina selects Louisiana Tech defensive tackle Vernon Butler with the 30th overall pick.
SI.com: Doug Farrar writes that "Butler may have received small-school dings from some, but his tape screams NFL starter." Butler also draws praise for his ability to command double teams on nearly every play. GRADE: A
Yahoo! Sports: Eric Edholm notes that the selection of Butler is a true reflection of general manager Dave Gettleman's approach to the draft. GRADE: B-
Walter Football: Butler may not fit an obvious need now, but he "could've easily been chosen a dozen picks" prior to Carolina selecting him at 30. GRADE: A
NFL.com:NFL Media draft analyst Chad Rueter likes Butler's potential but wonders if Carolina should have grabbed a position of bigger need. GRADE: C
SB Nation: Dan Kadar praises Butler's ability to stop the run and notes his pass rush potential. GRADE: B
Bleacher Report: Mike Tanier thinks highly of Butler but penalizes Carolina for not focusing on a position of need in the first round. GRADE: C-
**USA Today:** Steven Ruiz also notes that while defensive tackle was not an immediate need, it could pay off in the future. GRADE: B
Pro Football Focus: Steve Palazzolo writes that Butler has the ability to play multiple positions for Carolina, but his best fit is at nose tackle in nickel situations. GRADE: B
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View photos of the Panthers' first-round pick as he tours Bank of America Stadium.
![Defensive Line Coach Eric Washington and DT Vernon Butler](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/panthers/jbcillrlghbqq7d4e4bm.jpg)
![DT Vernon Butler and Defensive Line Coach Eric Washington](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/panthers/hojfcjcfl7ohli51reaq.jpg)
![DT Vernon Butler, Head Coach Ron Rivera & D-Line Coach Eric Washington](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/panthers/byq3vdd0w1jpg00jnyud.jpg)
![DT Vernon Butler](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/panthers/wqvqypafz2ujirld1esr.jpg)
![Head Coach Ron Rivera and DT Vernon Butler](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/panthers/ntt9ju7ys13wbhldfzwi.jpg)
![DT Vernon Butler](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/panthers/alltnkif5ybntqmvqqxg.jpg)
![DT Vernon Butler](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/panthers/locs6nkhgzfuoh1xhcyq.jpg)
![DT Vernon Butler](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/panthers/p7ko24umi9fjmgpikfnr.jpg)
![Head Coach Ron Rivera](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/panthers/qbgvx8jwssdouomc2kmt.jpg)
![DT Vernon Butler](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/panthers/aof7e4sq0mvj9xiw2bxo.jpg)
![Head Coach Ron Rivera, DT Vernon Butler and Defensive Coord. Sean McDermott](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/panthers/anvdk28izlrletsx2s5l.jpg)
![DT Vernon Butler and Defensive Coordinator Sean McDermott](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/panthers/w5ygoohigvdglqi2rm4p.jpg)
![DT Vernon Butler](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/panthers/x4vnpn48mbipom26igox.jpg)
![DT Vernon Butler](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/panthers/yfnlbcwilirbdylzc942.jpg)
![DT Vernon Butler](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/panthers/tccuu49x19nx2orv5xmo.jpg)
![No Title](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/panthers/kcrtwtdkezhjw7cbcssz.jpg)
![DT Vernon Butler](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/panthers/onjihzuzsngno8qduso0.jpg)
![DT Vernon Butler](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/panthers/v60bsgpmzgyzmqllm112.jpg)
![DT Vernon Butler](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/panthers/mgvlslusycrn1t9rbhls.jpg)
![DT Vernon Butler](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/panthers/pcaipfbqdi89jzl7zgpe.jpg)
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Butler may have received small-school dings from some, but his tape screams NFL starter