Ink on Indy
Fansided

Colts: Re-signing Darius Butler Not Great But Necessary

By Kyle Nishida

Oct 16, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Indianapolis Colts cornerback Darius Butler (20) walks off the field after sustaining and injury against the Houston Texans during the fourth quarter at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 16, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Indianapolis Colts cornerback Darius Butler (20) walks off the field after sustaining and injury against the Houston Texans during the fourth quarter at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

The bulk of the Indianapolis Colts‘ free agent spending has been devoted to the defense; specifically the front seven. That changed when the team re-signed defensive back Darius Butler today.

The deal comes shortly after Butler had visited the Washington Redskins and the Chicago Bears. However, the Colts remained in contact with Butler throughout his visits and eventually they got a new deal done.

Butler and the team agreed to one-year deal, which makes sense when considering what direction general manager Chris Ballard is taking the team. At 30 years old, Butler does not help the team get younger, but he still has a few good years left in him.

More from Indianapolis Colts

Butler is not an elite defensive back, but he is certainly serviceable in 2017. He played well enough last season to warrant being brought back (in spite of his age) and he versatile.

Previously, he had served as the Colts’ nickel cornerback, but moved to safety during the 2016 season when injuries began piling up. Indianapolis has a need for him at safety in 2017.

Butler started in seven of 12 games in the team’s secondary in 2016. In the process, he earned three interceptions, one forced fumble and 33 combined tackles.

His production at safety in 2016 is why the Colts will likely move him there permanently in 2017. Also, they could use more consistency from the position in 2017.

Indianapolis has a stable starter in Clayton Geathers at one safety spot. However, he got hurt at the start of 2016 and suffered minor injuries throughout the season. Geathers is a solid defensive back, but his injury-riddled 2016 season makes him a slight question mark this upcoming season.

Meanwhile, the other starting spot is up for grabs. Indianapolis did not want Mike Adams back, which means T.J. Green becomes the likely candidate to replace him.

The only issue is Green struggled to make plays consistently. Pro Football Focus rated him as the worst safety out of 101 eligible candidates a few months ago. Physically, he has all the skills to be a solid safety, but he struggled to display it on a regular basis.

Butler will likely enter training camp in a battle with Green for the starting spot. Ideally, the Colts want Green to start and Butler to be the backup. However, it is not inconceivable to think Butler could be the starter Week 1.

Again, Butler is not elite defensive back, but the Colts needed to bring him back. They needed to fix their secondary coming into free agency and have done nothing to address them. Butler helps address the problem in the short-term.

Next: Colts: Recent Minor Signings Add More Competitive Depth

The Colts still have the 2017 NFL Draft to aggressively address their secondary. With how much time and money they have spent on their front seven, that strategy would make a lot of sense.

Home/Indianapolis Colts