Oakland Raiders: Pre-Combine 7-Round 2019 mock draft
By Cory Kinnan
Round 3, Pick 2: Hakeem Butler, WR, Iowa State
Talk about a receiver who has much riding on the Combine, Hakeem Butler might be the biggest amongst them. Standing at a large 6-6 and 225 pounds, he if by far the biggest receiver in this year’s class, but he will have to prove that he can also separate from NFL defensive backs with the speed and athletic testing at the NFL Scouting Combine.
If Butler can run a 40 that hits below the 4.6-second mark and displays a good amount of agility in the 3-Cone Drill, expect teams to fawn over him. However, early in the pre-draft process, the big bodied receiver still has a lot to prove to scouts and general managers alike as, without the ability to create space at the next level, even at 6-6, you can be erased by single coverage.
The Raiders are in desperate need of addressing the wide receiver position as their leading receiver is aging Jordy Nelson while Martavis Bryant is facing an indefinite ban from the NFL after his appeal did not harvest any reward for him or the Raiders. Given that Butler can prove that his size and ability will translate at the next level, he will be an asset for Oakland and be a great value pick here at the beginning of the third round.