Darius Butler SELECTED BY: Patriots Round 2 (9)

SI Grade 3.99 GRADING SYSTEM

BIOGRAPHY: Four-year starter awarded all-Conference honors as a senior after posting 40 tackles while also averaging 23.5 yards on 20 kick returns and adding 9/123/1 as a receiver. Missed three games last season with a knee injury. Junior defensive numbers included 54/2/7 after 50/4/7 as a sophomore.

POSITIVES: Big, fast, physical athlete still transitioning his natural abilities onto the football field. Plays with a good degree of suddenness, aggressive on the field, and mixes it up with opponents throughout routes trying to break up the pass. Quickly breaks to the play, and aggressively lays his shoulders into ball handlers. Forceful up the field on the blitz. Solid pass catcher who displays surprising abilities running after the reception. Productive returning kicks.

NEGATIVES: Loses receivers out of his transition. Late reactor with average instincts. Must improve his overall fundamentals at defensive back.

ANALYSIS: Butler is a tremendous athlete with outstanding size/speed numbers. He offers a lot of upside potential, yet he is raw with his cornerback mechanics and needs time to develop. The ability to be used as a return specialist and occasionally play receiver should help him get playing time as a rookie.

PROJECTION: First/Second Round