Las Vegas Raiders select Tennessee defensive lineman Matthew Butler in 2022 NFL Draft

The Las Vegas Raiders are banking on Tennessee product Matthew Butler to come in and give their defensive line a boost. After playing a pivotal role throughout his time in Knoxville, the former Volunteers defensive lineman will be expected to do the same in his NFL career.

That’s why the Raiders took him off the board in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL Draft on Saturday, picking him No. 175 overall.

In his five seasons with the Volunteers, Butler proved why NFL teams were intrigued by his ability. Last season, the star defensive lineman helped lay a foundation for first-year Tennessee coach Josh Heupel, as the Volunteers look primed for good days ahead under their second-year coach. In 2021, Butler broke out in a big way, accumulated 47 total tackles, 5.0 sacks and one forced fumble for his squad.

Most importantly to the Raiders, Butler possess immense athletic talent that allow him to be one of the more intriguing defensive lineman prospects in the 2022 NFL Draft. He improved each season with the Volunteers, and has plenty of experience under his belt.

A former four-star recruit in the class of 2017, Butler was the No. 36 defensive lineman in the nation per the On3 Consensus, a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average. The former Tennessee star played his high school football at Garner in Garner, North Carolina. Additionally, Butler was the eleventh-ranked recruit in North Carolina coming out of high school, and the No. 378 overall recruit in the nation, according to On3’s 2017 Consensus Top Football Recruits.

What NFL draft analysts are saying about Matthew Butler

Furthermore, Lance Zierlein of NFL.com broke down what Matthew Butler can bring to the NFL in his recent scout of the defensive lineman’s draft profile. The analyst compared the Tennessee product to Byron Cowart, the No. 159 overall selection of the 2019 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots out of Maryland by way of Auburn. In his career thus far, Cowart has amassed 29 total tackles and one sack.

“Defensive lineman who isn’t a pure one-gapper or two-gapper, but has enough play strength and athleticism to operate in either capacity,” wrote Zierlein. “Butler plays more stoutly than his top-heavy frame might indicate. His blend of body control and grit allow him to reverse course against block sustain and get back into the play. He’s not overly explosive up the field but has enough edge rush and secondary effort to become a nuisance from time to time.

“Butler should step into a rotational role early in his career before competing for a spot as a starting three-technique for a 4-3 unit.”