From his first draft with the Panthers, general manager Dave Gettleman has not tried to hide his affinity for big defensive tackles.
He took two in that 2013 draft in the first two rounds.
He took another one Thursday night when the Panthers selected Louisiana Tech defensive tackle Vernon Butler with the 30th pick in the first round.
Butler, 6-4 and 323 pounds, is a versatile athlete with a 7-foot wingspan who can play both defensive tackle spots – nose and the 3-technique. Those are currently held by Star Lotulelei and Kawann Short, the interior linemen Gettleman took 1-2 in 2013.