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Donald Butler cut by Chargers, should Raiders bring Sacramento native home?

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Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

Today, the Chargers released linebacker Donald Butler. A starter since day one for the Chargers, Butler received an extension just two years ago, but with the emergence of rookie linebacker Denzel Perryman, Butler took a backseat. And with such a high price tag, he was cut loose.

Butler is a native of Sacramento where he attended Del Campo High School. He was a star at Washington and became a third round pick by the Chargers in the 2010 draft. After missing his entire rookie season with a torn Achilles, he came on strong in his second season, starting every game in which he appeared. That was until midway through last season.

Though there is an argument for saying "no thanks" to this homecoming.

For instance, the past two seasons, he has been among Pro Football Focus's lowest rated inside linebackers. He was 58th out of 60 in 2014 and 51 out of 60 last season.

It's unlikely Butler would be seen as any kind of savior for the Raiders at inside/middle linebacker. Last year the team signed Curtis Lofton, who had been cut by the Saints, and that didn't work out so well. He, like Butler, was benched by midseason in favor of a rookie. In the Raiders' case, it was first moving Malcolm Smith inside and starting Neiron Ball, and later starting Ben Heeney at middle linebacker.

Butler could bulk up the linebacking corps at very least, and compete for a starting job.

What do you think?