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Green Bay Packers: Ten first-round options in 2016 NFL Draft

By Freddie Boston

Nov 21, 2015; Stillwater, OK, USA; Oklahoma State Cowboys defensive end Emmanuel Ogbah (38) reacts during the game against the Baylor Bears at Boone Pickens Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Ferguson-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 21, 2015; Stillwater, OK, USA; Oklahoma State Cowboys defensive end Emmanuel Ogbah (38) reacts during the game against the Baylor Bears at Boone Pickens Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Ferguson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 30, 2016; Mobile, AL, USA; South squad offensive center Evan Boehm of Missouri (77) blocks North squad defensive tackle Vernon Butler of Louisiana Tech (93) in the first quarter of the Senior Bowl at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 30, 2016; Mobile, AL, USA; South squad offensive center Evan Boehm of Missouri (77) blocks North squad defensive tackle Vernon Butler of Louisiana Tech (93) in the first quarter of the Senior Bowl at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports /

DT Vernon Butler, Louisiana Tech

With so many talented defensive linemen in this year’s class, a player like Vernon Butler could easily drop to No. 27. Butler is an athletic interior defender who excels when getting after the quarterback. He is a disruptive force in the backfield and would give the Packers another force up front to work with Mike Daniels.

NFL.com draft analyst Lance Zierlein compared Butler to the Jets’ Muhammad Wilkerson, which is about as high praise a prospect could wish to receive:

"“Butler has a raw but diverse skillset as a pass rusher that should excite NFL evaluators who see the potential of what he can be with more coaching and experience. With his effort and defensive ball awareness, his ceiling appears to be high with a chance to become a high-­level starter for an odd or even front defense.”"

Daniels is dominant at 3-technique for the Packers, and Butler could complement him as a 5-tech on the other side. Letroy Guion could slide in at nose tackle, and Mike Pennel also has the potential to play at nose when he returns from a four-game suspension.

Butler would give Packers fans many reasons to be excited.

Next: Keeping Rodgers upright

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