With free agency starting on Tuesday, the Saints will be looking for help to improve their dreadful defense.  The Black and Gold won’t have much money to work with, though, as they’re right up against the salary cap.  Restructuring the deals of several players (Marques Colston, Jahri Evans, Ben Grubbs, Curtis Lofton, and David Hawthorne for instance) has helped free up some money, however.

Since the Saints won’t have lots of cash to bring in big name free agents, finding impact players they can sign for cheap is paramount.  One player the Saints should target is linebacker Victor Butler (6’2, 245lbs), an unrestricted free agent for the Dallas Cowboys.

Butler, a defensive end for Oregon State, was a 4th round pick in the 2009.  The Cowboys converted him to an outside linebacker for their 3-4 defense.  Despite being a back-up for his four seasons, Butler still managed to record 89 tackles, 11 sacks, and 4 forced fumbles.  He’s played in 63 games, only missing one back in 2010.
His defensive coordinator the past two years?  Rob Ryan.  The same guy the Saints just hired to install a 3-4 defense in New Orleans.  

WWL NFL analyst Mike Detillier compared Butler to Junior Gallette, saying he’s “fast off the edge” and “flashes good skills to rush the QB.”  However, Detillier cautioned that he’s never been a full time player, and Butler is more potential than production at this point.  He also says that Butler struggles against the run game because he “has trouble getting off blocks when run plays are directed right at him.”

Butler has just been a back-up thus far, but he was stuck behind playmakers like DeMarcus Ware and Anthony Spencer.  His salary last year was only $615,000.  While he should command much more than that once he hits the open market, the Saints could still get him for relatively cheap.  He’s familiar with Rob Ryan and his defense.  Butler wouldn’t be a flashy free agent, but the Saints should try and get him.