Transitioning to a 3-4 scheme under new defensive coordinators, the New Orleans Saints and Cleveland Browns have been competing for outside linebackers in free agency.
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The Browns already have outbid the Saints to win Paul Kruger as the centerpiece of Ray Horton's defense. Now they have a chance to steal another young edge rusher from New Orleans. Former Dallas Cowboys linebacker Victor Butler left his visit to the Big Easy and former defensive coordinator Rob Ryan without a contract, according to The Times-Picayune. His next stop will be Cleveland, beginning on Sunday, The Plain Dealer confirmed Friday.
Butler previously had visited the Pittsburgh Steelers while drawing interest from the New York Jets.
A promising reserve in his first four NFL seasons, Butler could be targeting a starting role with his next team. If that's the case, the Browns could be behind the eight-ball with Kruger and Jabaal Sheard atop the depth chart.
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