Riggo's Rag
FanSided

Redskins: Iowa State WR Hakeem Butler could be a Day 2 gem

By Kyle Hundley

LAWRENCE, KS - NOVERMBER 3: Wide receiver Hakeem Butler #18 of the Iowa State Cyclones slips past cornerback Hasan Defense #13 of the Kansas Jayhawks as goes for a 51-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter at Memorial Stadium on November 3, 2018 in Lawrence, Kansas. (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images)
LAWRENCE, KS - NOVERMBER 3: Wide receiver Hakeem Butler #18 of the Iowa State Cyclones slips past cornerback Hasan Defense #13 of the Kansas Jayhawks as goes for a 51-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter at Memorial Stadium on November 3, 2018 in Lawrence, Kansas. (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 3
Next
AMES, IA – OCTOBER 27: Wide receiver Hakeem Butler #18 of the Iowa State Cyclones pulls in a pass as defensive back Jah’Shawn Johnson #7 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders defends in the second half of play at Jack Trice Stadium on October 27, 2018 in Ames, Iowa. The Iowa State Cyclones won 40-31 over the Texas Tech Red Raiders. (Photo by David Purdy/Getty Images)
AMES, IA – OCTOBER 27: Wide receiver Hakeem Butler #18 of the Iowa State Cyclones pulls in a pass as defensive back Jah’Shawn Johnson #7 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders defends in the second half of play at Jack Trice Stadium on October 27, 2018 in Ames, Iowa. The Iowa State Cyclones won 40-31 over the Texas Tech Red Raiders. (Photo by David Purdy/Getty Images) /

Hakeem Butler overview

Butler, a redshirt junior, had an outstanding season as he finished with 60 receptions for 1318 yards and nine touchdowns. Averaging 22 yards per catch, this was good enough for fourth in the nation and just ahead of fellow draftee D.K. Metcalf (though Metcalf only played seven games).

Arguably the most physically imposing wideout in the draft, Butler stands at 6-5 and weighs 227 pounds. He has massive hands (10 3/4 inches) that make for easy one-handed catches and long arms (35 1/4 inches) that make for a large catch radius.

Butler tested well at the combine as he had a 36 inch vertical, did 18 reps on the bench press, and ran a 4.48 in the 40-yard dash. He does not shy away from physicality as a big receiver and is extremely good after the catch. He has drawn comparisons to A.J. Green, Calvin Johnson, and Brandon Marshall as well.

More from Commanders Draft News

Much like every prospect in the draft, he has strengths as well as weaknesses in his game. Butler has the potential to be a difference maker at the next level, but he is still extremely raw and will need time to develop more. He will also occasionally drop the easy pass, much like Josh Doctson has had a propensity to do since getting drafted. As with most big receivers, he is not the shiftiest individual, though he does have a little more elusiveness to his game than one would think for a man of his stature.

With that said, there is a lot to love about his game and the potential he can bring. Being almost 6-6, he is a legit red-zone target and a tough matchup for smaller defensive backs. As mentioned earlier, he is incredibly tough to bring down after he has the ball in his hands. And, he has shown the ability to make the circus catch and contested ones as well. He can adjust well to throws and shows a knack for the big play, the 22 yards per catch a good indicator of that.

Home/Commanders Draft News