The New Orleans Saints caught up with Iowa State wide receiver Hakeem Butler before his pro day, per a report from James Palmer of NFL Network. Butler is one of the top prospects at the position in the 2019 NFL Draft, breaking out for the Cyclones in 2018 with 60 receptions for 1,318 receiving yards and nine touchdown catches. In his career, Butler logged 110 catches for 2,149 yards and 18 scores. He averaged 19.5 yards per catch.
Butler’s momentum only increased at the Scouting Combine, where he tipped the scales at an impressive 6-foot-5 3/8, 227 pounds with a top-percentile 83 7/8-inch wingspan and 10 3/4-inch hands. But he’s not just a pillar: Butler tore up athletic testing by timing the 40-yard dash in 4.48 seconds and 128-inch broad jump. His 36-inch vertical jump is pedestrian for most receivers, but again: Butler is a pair of cleats and a good meal away from measuring 6-foot-6 and 230-pounds. They don’t make many athletes like him.
The Saints would have to pull off a coup to draft Butler, likely trading up from their first selection at 62 overall. He’s in the conversation with other top receivers like D.K. Metcalf and Marquise Brown to be the first selected in April’s draft. But adding Butler would be worth the cost: Drew Brees needs every big-bodied, big-play threat the Saints can find as the seek to maximize their Super Bowl chances in 2019.
