Darien Butler is a good athlete with good lateral movement and agility in space. In the passing game, he has aligned in the overhang against 10-personnel. He demonstrates good agility to re-route from the slot and drop into his zone. He has average rush ability from both inside and outside. In the run game, he is a downhill, physical linebacker who is a bit undersized. He demonstrates the agility to get through trash and scrape to the football. His aggressive and decisive diagnostic skills help him to make plays in the backfield. He displays the instincts to know when to shoot the gap when he can make a play in the backfield. In the NFL, he is a rotational LB and core special teams player by year two. On third downs, he can remain on the field as his athleticism allows him to drop into coverage and play man against backs in the passing game.

Ideal Role: Backup with core special teams upside

Scheme Fit: 4-3 defense only

FILM EVALUATION 

Written by Drae Harris 

Tackling: See Above.

Football IQ: See Above.

Competitive Toughness: He plays the game with good competitive toughness. He is a physical linebacker whose attacking style sets the tone defensively. He competes and plays hard late in games, as well.

Pass Coverage: His ability in the passing game is average. He is athletic enough to reroute in the overhang and he can also get into his zone drop. He has average rush upside off the edge, though.

Run Defender: He is an attacking, downhill player who quickly deciphers run plays. His instinctive feel allows him to shoot gaps and disrupt run plays in the backfield.

Block Deconstruction: He is undersized and lacks ideal length. As a result, his ability to play with length when he stacks and sheds a lineman may be a bit of a challenge. He’s best served playing covered up in a 4-3 defense.

Lateral Mobility: His lateral mobility is average. He easily flows and scrapes to the ball-carrier but isn’t a dynamic mover in space for an undersized guy.

Flexibility: He has an adequate amount of flexibility, especially in space. He has aligned some reps in the slot and can re-route. He also shows the ability to get good depth in his pass drops.

Leadership: He is a multi-year captain who is the emotional leader on defense. He also is the emotional leader that his teammates look to during adversity.

Versatility: He has average positional versatility overall. Because of his size limitations, he is best served as an OLB in a 4-3 defense.

SCOUT GRADES 

TDN Consensus: 70.00/100 (Fifth Round Value)

Crabbs Grade: 69.00/100

Harris Grade: 71.00/100