Raiders: 3 rookies to keep an eye on during the HOF Game

HENDERSON, NEVADA - JULY 24: Wide receiver Davante Adams #17, head coach Josh McDaniels and quarterback Derek Carr #4 of the Las Vegas Raiders talk during training camp at the Las Vegas Raiders Headquarters/Intermountain Healthcare Performance Center on July 24, 2022 in Henderson, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
HENDERSON, NEVADA - JULY 24: Wide receiver Davante Adams #17, head coach Josh McDaniels and quarterback Derek Carr #4 of the Las Vegas Raiders talk during training camp at the Las Vegas Raiders Headquarters/Intermountain Healthcare Performance Center on July 24, 2022 in Henderson, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /
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SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – NOVEMBER 13: Darien Butler #20 of the Arizona State Sun Devils celebrates a defensive stop during the fourth quarter against the Washington Huskies at Husky Stadium on November 13, 2021, in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – NOVEMBER 13: Darien Butler #20 of the Arizona State Sun Devils celebrates a defensive stop during the fourth quarter against the Washington Huskies at Husky Stadium on November 13, 2021, in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /

Three rookies who have the Raiders’ full attention against Jacksonville.

Linebacker: Darien Butler

Butler has been nothing short of outstanding throughout camp.

Not only did the undrafted free agent snag the first interception of training camp, but he was able to work his way up to running with the first-team defense – And took full advantage of that. When playing with the first-team D, Butler laid a hit on running back Brittain Brown that woke everyone up.

The Arizona State linebacker was a jack-of-all-trades in college and has continued showing off his wide variety of skills through camp. During his senior year at ASU, Butler was the no.1 ranked linebacker in coverage in all of Pac-12 and recorded the second-most tackles behind the line of scrimmage in the division.

Currently, Butler is listed as the first rotational inside linebacker, taking Micah Kiser’s place after Kiser suffered a season-ending injury.

If the UDFA camp sensation can continue his impressive play through camp, Butler will not only lock his place on the roster but will earn ample field time in 2022. Keep your eyes on the 22-year-old, Raider Nation, because he could be special despite standing only 5’10.