Regression and youth investment at DT make Butler expendable despite dead cap complications

Butler has been a starter in Vegas over the last two years, but that reflects the team's lack of talent at defensive tackle more than his skill set. The eight-year veteran has been a role player for the other six seasons of his career, and while he had a decent 2024 campaign, he regressed last season. The Raiders have invested heavily in young defensive tackle talent—spending three draft picks (Tonka Hemingway, JJ Pegues, Brandon Cleveland) and signing undrafted free agent Gary Smith III in the last two offseasons, plus expected starters Jonah Laulu and Thomas Booker IV, both 26 years old. However, Butler's potential cut is complicated by a $6.33 million dead cap hit with minimal savings this year and just under $1.1 million of dead money in 2027, per OTC.

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