Positional ranking: #2
Big Board ranking: #14
Overview
Position: WR
College: Iowa State
Class: Junior (RS)
Age: 22
Measurables
Height: 6’5 3/8”
Weight: 227 lbs.
Arm length: 35 1/4″
Hand size: 10 3/4″
Athletic testing
40-yard dash: 4.48 sec.
Vertical jump: 36.0”
Broad jump: 128.0”
Bench press: 18 reps
3-cone drill: DNP
Short shuttle: DNP
Strengths
Downfield possession receiver with a huge frame. Has the speed to run past cornerbacks. Snatches the ball away from his body. Freakish catch radius of nearly 84 inches. Wins jump ball opportunities in traffic. Excellent body control and focus in the air. Good footwork on the boundary. Knows the intricacies of running deep routes. Smoothly gets in and out of breaks for his size. Strong enough to beat press coverage. Has experience working out of the slot. Tracks the ball well. Makes one-handed grabs look routine. Slippery in the open field. Transitions from receiver to runner. Uses a straight arm to break tackles.
Weaknesses
Drops are an issue at times. More deceptive than explosive as a route runner. Didn’t have a ton of production underneath.
NFL comparison
A.J. Green – While not the natural receiver that Green is, Hakeem Butler is slightly bigger, faster, and stronger with similar movement skills to be confident about as a route runner.
Conclusion
Overall, Hakeem Butler is a dominant downfield target that has the speed to get past defenders and the size to finish over them. Even in a deep draft class at the position, I think Butler is worth a pick in the middle of the first round.
Nice. I think people are sleeping on Butler.
These guys are monsters!
Part of me wanted my Raiders to get both lol.
I remember you said Green as a comparison before. I think people are copying that I’ve seen it elsewhere.
YES someone that knows what they’re talking about. Butler is going to be elite.