2022 NFL DRAFT PROSPECT REPORT
- Name: Darien Butler
- Position: Linebacker
- School: Arizona State
- Height: 5'11"
- Weight: 221lbs
Film Watched: Washington State 2021, BYU 2021 Southern Utah 2021
Pro's:
- Urgent, angry linebacker who exudes energy and fearlessness
- Refuses to be intimidated by size, and consistently matches up physically with bigger opponents
- Flies through gaps to meet ball carriers in the backfield
- Shows good lower body torque to sit on gaps and absorb the running back’s momentum
- Evasive. Keeps his surface area to a premium when looking to slip beyond the line of scrimmage
- Will run all day. No play is too far away for him to attempt to get involved in
- Got some shiftiness to him; can match up with tight ends and running backs in man coverage
- Three-time captain at ASU. Teammates gravitate to his leadership
- Born to play special teams
Con's:
- Very small. Height lands in the first percentile for NFL linebackers
- Short arms. Tackle radius is modest, and finds it difficult to disengage with blockers once they’ve latched on
- Frenzied style of play has been preyed upon by opponents; sometimes leaves cutback lanes exposed
- Susceptible to play-action fakes and misdirection
- Surprisingly sluggish change of direction speed for a smaller linebacker
The Verdict:
“Darien Butler’s draft profile might not be as appreciated in NFL circles as it was in college - go to Tempe and you’ll understand just how highly they think of their former captain. The reason for that is that Butler left everything out on the field, every game; every play he gave 100% regardless of role, and there was nothing he wouldn’t do to help the team win. Falling just short of being described as explosive, Butler would compensate for size with an unnatural play strength per his proportions, and back it up with zero inhibitions at the point of contact. Butler has obvious physical shortcomings to be a three-down contributor at the next level, but this is a guy you want in your locker room. He’ll be a standout special teams contributor who coordinators can turn to when their defense is in a pinch.”
Simon Carroll
Head Of NFL Draft Content
NFL COMPARISON: BEN BURR-KIRVEN
PREDICTION: 6TH ROUND PICK
5/5