News: The Saints announced Thursday that they have agreed to terms on a two-year contract with unrestricted free agent linebacker Victor Butler. He was originally drafted in the fourth-round (110th overall) in the 2009 NFL Draft by the Cowboys, playing in 63 games with two starts and posting career totals of 64 tackles (49 solo), 11 sacks, two stops for a loss, five passes defensed, three forced fumbles and one fumble recovery. On special teams, he’s registered 40 tackles and one forced fumble.
Analysis: Converted to a linebacker in the Cowboys’ 3-4 scheme after playing defensive end at Oregon State, Butler appeared in 16 games with one start in his final season in Dallas in 2012 and posted a career-high 24 tackles (22 solo), three sacks, one tackle for a loss, three passes defensed, one forced fumble, as well as four stops and a forced fumble on special teams. He has minimal Fantasy value in IDP leagues and is not worth drafting in most formats.
News: Dallas LB Victor Butler registered three tackles and a sack during the Cowboys' 20-19 victory over Miami in Week 12 on Thursday. Butler took down Dolphins QB Matt Moore to give him a sack in back-to-back games for the first time this season.
Analysis: Butler matched his career high for sacks set during his rookie year (three) with his recent surge. The 24-year-old is unlikely to improve his tackle totals and has not surpassed four stops in a game this season. Consider him a marginal option in most Fantasy IDP formats.
News: Dallas LB Victor Butler recorded his second sack of the season in the Week 15 win over Washington. Butler finished with three tackles in the game.
Analysis: Butler has two sacks this year but only 21 tackles. That is not enough to make him worth having on any Fantasy IDP rosters at this time. Ignore him in Arizona in Week 16.
News: Dallas LB Keith Brooking had a solid game Sunday against Seattle with 11 tackles and a sack. He got help from Terence Newman (seven tackles and a forced fumble), Bradie James (nine tackles and a forced fumble), Bobby Carpenter (four tackles and a sack), DeMarcus Ware (two tackles and a sack), Orlando Scandrick (one tackle and a fumble recovery) and Victor Butler (two tackles and a fumble recovery).
Analysis: The Cowboys have a tough matchup in Week 9 against the Eagles, so the Dallas defensive players likely won't have as good a performance as they did vs. the Seahawks. Still, start your usual regulars since the Cowboys are playing at a high level the past three games.
News: Dallas LB Victor Butler picked up two of the Cowboys' three sacks on Monday night in a win over the Panthers. Butler finished with two tackles in the game and also forced a fumble.
Analysis: Butler has just 3 tackles on the season and these were his first two sacks in three games played. That isn't consistent enough production to be considered anything but a low-end Fantasy IDP option not recommended for use in Week 4 at Denver.
News: The Dallas Morning News reports the Cowboys have agreed to terms with rookie LB Victor Butler on Friday. Butler agreed to a four-year deal with minimum base salaries ($310,000, $395,000, $480,000 and $565,000). Butler had 12 sacks as a senior at Oregon State, earning All-Pac 10 honors. With the Cowboys releasing Greg Ellis, Butler as well as fellow rookie Brandon Williams, will be counted on to help the pass rush behind DeMarcus Ware and Anthony Spencer. The report says Butler missed the OTA workouts but showed to be a quick study at the June minicamp, impressing the coaches with how much he knew despite not being around for a month.
Analysis: Butler will provide the club a situational pass rushing option off the bench behind Ware. He's not a run stuffer as much as a quarterback sacker, which is why stats may not come in a flurry for him even if he got regular playing time. Butler is no better than a late-round pick in rookie-only drafts.
News: The Cowboys selected Oregon DE/LB Victor Butler with a fourth-round pick in the 2009 draft. Butler recorded 22.5 sacks the past two years, including 12 as a senior.
Analysis: Butler will provide the club a situational pass rushing option off the bench behind DeMarcus Ware. He's not a run stuffer as much as a quarterback sacker, which is why stats may not come in a flurry for him even if he got regular playing time. Butler is no better than a late-round pick in rookie-only drafts.
