Head Coach Bill Belichick spent most of his time with the defensive backs at UCONN’s pro-day on Wednesday. As Belichick gazed upon the field, he couldn’t help but notice a certain defensive back that was playing above everyone else. Darius Butler, who has shot up draft boards after a fluid performance at the NFL combine, continued his rise in the workout at Storrs, CT.

Butler (5’10″-183lbs), isn’t a physical guy, but his 4.38 speed, 40″+ vertical, and incredibly loose hips make him a physical specimen. He can also play football a little bit. The Huskie corner wasn’t challenged much in 2008, having opponents give him the Deion treatment game after game.

Butler’s skillset and physical makeup make him ideal for off-coverage, which the Patriots often employ on the outside. He can struggle when you ask him to press bigger receivers, but with some of the Patriots recent acquisitions, bigger WR’s will have Springs and Bodden on them. Having a young corps of corners in Ellis Hobbs, Terrence Wheatley, Jonathan Wilhite, and Darius Butler would be an enviable position to be in.

Even with the Patriots addition of Shawn Springs and Leigh Bodden to the fold this March, don’t be surprised to see this DB become the Patriots’ newest DB come this April’s draft.

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