Victor

Butler

Spencer, the team’s franchise player this season, will turn 29 in January and figures to command a hefty payday next offseason. The Cowboys could choose to move on to Butler, a 2009 fourth-rounder who had three sacks and 10 hurries in limited playing time last season. Anyone lining up opposite DeMarcus Ware will see plenty of single blocks. Rookie Kyle Wilber is also in the mix as a pass-rushing outside linebacker.

After showing significant pass-rush potential in a part-time role with the Cowboys over the last four seasons, Butler went shopping for playing time in free agency. He landed a two-year, $3 million contract with the Saints and was expected to start at SAM linebacker in Rob Ryan’s 3-4 scheme. He would have been a sleeper for double-digit sacks. Now Butler is looking at a season on injured reserve, leaving Martez Wilson as the next man up. The injury happened during a collision with Mark Ingram during what was supposed to be a non-contact practice.

Butler tore his ACL in Wednesday’s minicamp practice on a collision with Mark Ingram. He’ll almost certainly be placed on season-ending injured reserve. Martez Wilson is in the driver’s seat for the starting SAM linebacker spot opposite Junior Galette. Butler’s injury may force the Saints to keep Will Smith.

Smith and Martez Wilson were with the ones, while Junior Galette and Victor Butler were with the twos. As we pointed out days ago, this attempt by the Saints to move 6-foot-3, 282-pound Smith to stand-up edge rusher is quite comical. Galette and Butler are younger and much more talented at this stage of their respective careers. Smith, due $3 million, is a candidate to be released.

Butler, just last summer, was once “penciled in” as Anthony Spencer’s heir apparent at outside linebacker with the Cowboys. Now, with a switch to a 4-3 defense under Monte Kiffin, Butler doesn’t have a spot. He’s never showed consistency when it comes to rushing the passer, but Butler also hasn’t been able to get on the field behind Spencer and DeMarcus Ware. He should draw significant interest if he indeed gets to test the free-agent waters.

Butler is one of the top under-the-radar free agents on the market. He’ll turn just 26 this summer and has been stuck behind DeMarcus Ware and Anthony Spencer in Dallas for the last four seasons. Butler has 11 career sacks in very limited snaps, and he played under coach Rex Ryan’s brother, Rob, the last two years. Free agents Bryan Thomas and Calvin Pace aren’t expected back.

Butler is currently visiting the Steelers, and they’re reportedly pushing hard to land him to replace James Harrison. If he makes it out of Pittsburgh, then the next stop would likely be New Orleans with old defensive boss Rob Ryan. Butler, Martez Wilson, and Junior Galette would be a solid trio of young pass rushers. The Jets are reportedly targeting Butler, but the interest may not be mutual.

It has already been reported that the Saints are high on Butler’s wish list, and Butler has experience playing under DC Rob Ryan the last two seasons. New Orleans already has Martez Wilson, Junior Galette, and Will Smith as edge rushers, but you can never have enough of them. Beat writer Larry Holder adds that “mutual interest is high,” and he would be “surprised” if Butler isn’t signed.

Schefter didn’t report a deal is done, but it’d be a nice pickup for New Orleans as new coordinator Rob Ryan installs a 3-4 defense. The Saints are needy at outside-rush ‘backer and Butler spent the last four seasons backing up DeMarcus Ware and Anthony Spencer in Dallas. Still only 25 years old, Butler has flashed big-time pass-rush ability in past spot play. He is also a plus special teamer.

Butler, 25, has 11 career sacks and four forced fumbles across four seasons, though he’s only played 803 career snaps, per Pro Football Focus. The typical starting 3-4 rush linebacker plays 900-1,000 snaps. While Butler is considered a weak run defender, he has edge speed the Saints desperately need. He also played for new New Orleans defensive coordinator Rob Ryan in Dallas last year. Butler will compete for a starting job with Junior Galette, Will Smith, Martez Wilson, and whomever the Saints add in April’s draft. We like Butler’s chances of at least earning a significant role in sub-packages -- all-out pass-rush downs.