New England Patriots: 4 player grades from Preseason Week 3

For an undrafted rookie, defensive lineman Adam Butler put on a clinic versus the Lions, Friday night. The Vanderbilt product was named a ‘player to watch‘ by Musket Fire ahead of New England’s third preseason game and met expectations with ease.

Butler tallied two quarterback hits and four hurries, per Doug Kyed, and now has three quarterback hits in two games. Pats Pulpit’s Oliver Thomas shared this clip of Butler “going to town through the A-gap”:

Although Butler was credited with just one tackle, he consistently made his presence felt, contributing whenever he saw the field. For example, on Eric Rowe’s interception, Evan Lazar noted, Butler created pressure and “[opened] up the lane for Langi.”

From what Butler has shown in preseason play, he’s made as good a case as any player for a spot on New England’s 53-man roster. Following the release of defensive end Kony Ealy on Saturday, there is a vacant spot for the impressive rookie defensive lineman.