Arizona Cardinals: Hakeem Butler can be special talent
The spotlight was firmly on the Arizona Cardinals in the 2019 NFL Draft. But one draft pick that should certainly be getting more attention is the pickup of Iowa State receiver Hakeem Butler in the fourth round.
With the first pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, the Arizona Cardinals tweaked their quarterback room, moving away from Josh Rosen and selecting Oklahoma product Kyler Murray. One of the flashiest picks of the first round, new Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury made sure he got his quarterback of choice with the top overall pick.
Moving further down the board, the Cardinals spent much of their draft capital on the defensive side of the ball, with the additions of cornerback Byron Murphy and defensive end Zach Allen. Outside of Murray, Arizona’s offensive picks did not seem to garner much attention from the media. However, the Cardinals’ fourth-round selection has the potential to be the best at his position in the entire draft class.
Hakeem Butler, Iowa State’s monstrous physical receiver, opened up the third day of draft selections. The first pick in the fourth round, Arizona would not have another pick until over thirty selections later, and it’s a bit of a surprise that Butler was there at all. Some had Butler mocked in the second round, or maybe even sneaking into the end of the first on rare occasions.
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The potential Butler displayed while with the Cyclones in college showed just how special he can be. A raw talent, it’s unlikely that Butler will be “ready to go” at the professional level on day one. However, within a year he could blossom into one of the biggest steals of the entire draft class for Arizona.
Butler’s 6-5, 227-pound frame is lean yet powerful, and the catch radius he possesses due to that length is completely unrivaled in the 2019 draft class. The straight-line speed shown off during his time in college, and at the NFL Combine with a 4.48-second 40-yard dash, make him perfect for Kingsbury’s high-flying offensive attack.
There is always the possibility that Butler’s potential may not pan out, and that could be why he fell so far in the 2019 draft. However, the potential was too much for Kliff Kingsbury and general manager Steve Keim to pass up on in the fourth round, and rightfully so. Murray’s strong arm combined with Butler’s size and quickness could make for a deadly matchup down the line.
Next. 2019 NFL Draft: Grades for every first-round pick. dark
The Cardinals are banking on a lot of potential here, but along with NFL great Larry Fitzgerald and UMass speedster Andy Isabella (drafted in the second round), Butler could be a great addition to Arizona’s receiving corps. If Kyler Murray can find his way early in the NFL, Butler could be in for a special career.