Darien Butler, linebacker
While everyone wants to likely read about the flashiest prospects who could turn into stars with exciting potential and Pro Bowl upside, the truth Is that most of the players vying for attention at the Shrine Bowl are going to make it because they are the glue guys—the sort of players who fill in weaker spots on a roster and turn into core special teamers
That’s certainly true for Darien Butler.
Butler had an incredibly impressive college career at Arizona State where he was coached by former Chiefs head coach Herm Edwards. He was an instant starter at linebacker as a freshman and went on to be a three-year captain for the Sun Devils. His body of experience and leadership makes him a mature NFL prospect with strong instincts. Coming into training camps, he should be as pro ready as a player can look.
The knocks on him are against his size, strength, and speed. In short, he’s not going to specialize at any single spot and the NFL might prove to be too big and too fast. But what’s also true here is that Butler’s instincts are crazy good and on a higher level. Nick Bolton showed how stellar instincts can overwhelm an opponent even if the physical gifts aren’t as strong as others.
Butler would likely come in as an undrafted player or very late-round flyer, and he’d occupy a Ben Niemann sort of role, but those guys are valuable when used correctly and every team needs one. Butler looks ready-made for such an early role at the next level.