Dave Gettleman couldn't help himself.
When a true "hog mollie" dropped to Carolina's pick at No. 30, Gettleman pulled the trigger, taking Louisiana Tech defensive tackle Vernon Butler.
"We are really kind of shocked that he was there. We don’t know why he fell," Gettleman said. "It was like my first draft watching Star (Lotulelei) drop. Just watching, bup, bup, bup, bup."
Despite his 6-foot-4, 323-pound frame, Butler is considered one of the most versatile defensive linemen in this year's draft. Not only does Gettleman covet big players, but Carolina's coaches prefer guys who can play multiple spots. In his four years at Louisiana Tech, Butler played end, three technique and nose tackle.
With guys like Clemson's Kevin Dodd and Oklahoma State's Emmanuel Ogbah available, the Panthers could have addressed their thin depth at defensive end. Instead, they took Butler, who totaled just five sacks at Louisiana Tech. But as current Carolina Pro Bowl defensive tackle Kawann Short has proven, pass rush can come from the inside, too.
"[Butler] is a guy that comes straight up the gut [affecting] the play," coach Ron Rivera said. "He’s getting doubled and someone else is hitting the quarterback. This kind of potential and ability for growth you get excited about because he can be a guy that can impact from the inside and the quickest way to the quarterback is through the A gaps."
Big and powerful, Butler's arms measured 35 1/8 at February's combine. He ran a 5.15-second 40-yard dash and bench pressed 225 pounds 26 times.
Louisiana Tech's first ever defensive player taken in the first round, Butler had 50 tackles, including 10 for a loss, with three sacks and eight quarterback hurries during his senior season. He had 56 tackles, 13 1/2 for losses as a junior.
According to Rivera, seven teams called looking to move into the 30th spot. The Panthers listened, but didn't budge.
"The deals weren't very attractive," Gettleman said. "We got on the clock and they started to up the ante, but we had made up our mind by then.
"The value was too good. He's big and powerful and athletic and has all of the stuff."