Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Darien Butler was another promising rookie from the 2022 season who missed out on the 2023 season.
After playing in 15 games his rookie season, Butler was unfortunately placed on IR in August and did not play the entire 2023 campaign.
Butler was signed by the Raiders as an undrafted free agent in May of 2022. Las Vegas signed him to a three-year, $2.5-million contract, which will end in 2025.
Having primarily played on special teams in 2022, Butler finished the season with 11 combined tackles. He played just 21 defensive snaps.
Prior to being placed on IR, Butler would play in Las Vegas' first two preseason games of 2023. He recorded three combined tackles in the team's first game against the San Francisco 49ers.
Butler is another Raider who played under Coach Antonio Pierce at Arizona State. He was a four-year starter for the Sun Devils, starting in 2018 when he started in all 18 games as a freshman. The following season, he became the first true sophomore in program history to be elected a team captain.
In his final collegiate season, Butler totaled 68 combined tackles, 8.5 for losses, two sacks, three interceptions, and three passes defensed. He would be named to the All-Pac-12 Second Team, as well as a semifinalist for the Butkus Award, given annually to the nation's top linebacker.
Butler has one more year to prove himself on this Raiders roster, and if his college career is any indication of what he is capable of, he could certainly establish himself as a reliable backup in the linebacker room. It will be tough, considering he will have to shake off a year's worth of rust in training camp. Even then, should he make the 53-man roster, he will still have to deal with the task of staying healthy.
From February 27 to March 4, 2024, the NFL Scouting Combine will be held at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Ind.
The NFL Draft will be held in Detroit, Mich., on April 25-27, 2024. The Las Vegas Raiders currently hold the No. 13 overall pick.
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