3 Raiders players who made a case for a roster spot in Hall of Fame game
By KC Proctor
3 Raiders players who made their case: LB Darien Butler
The weakest point in the Raiders hybrid 4-3 base defense is the linebackers. The depth chart currently features Divine Deablo and Denzel Perryman at the top, with a laundry list of further unproven individuals in tote. Perryman has been around for some time now and earned full-time starter responsibilities in 2021 for the first time since entering the league in 2015; he also made his first Pro Bowl appearance in ‘21 and should be expected to progress in 2022. Deablo, on the other hand, made his NFL debut last season and recorded 45 combined tackles across five starts. Bottom line, the well of experience in the Raiders second level is not very deep.
Thursday night, former Arizona State Sun Devil, Compton native, and 2022 Raiders undrafted free agent signee, Darien Butler put on display what he could offer the Vegas linebacker room. He led the team in solo (3) and total tackles (6) and also recorded two quarterback pressures, a solid first night of NFL competition.
Butler is currently third on the depth chart for MIKE linebackers behind Perryman and Kenny Young. His stat sheet last night, and the affordability attached to him as a UDFA are both appealing to a Raiders team that is struggling at his position, and has a desire to employ cheap talent in the near future.