3 reasons Hakeem Butler could breakout for Philadelphia Eagles this week
By Hunter Doyle
Hakeem Butler could have a large role in Week 4 for the Philadelphia Eagles.
Earlier this week, the Philadelphia Eagles signed Hakeem Butler from the Carolina Panthers practice squad in lieu of the news that Dallas Goedert will miss some time. They are converting him from wide receiver to tight end which could earn him a decent amount of snaps if he is active for Sunday night’s game versus the San Francisco 49ers. Butler is a physical specimen who might be a diamond in the rough for ‘the Birds’.
After racking up nine touchdowns and 1,318 yards on 60 receptions (22 yards per catch) in 13 games (101.4 yards per catch) in his final collegiate season, Butler entered the 2019 NFL Draft as a mid-round prospect. Many thought that the Iowa State receiver had some first-round potential, but they were concerned about the route tree and the drops.
Here’s the thing though. Many of those drops resulted from Butler trying to make bigger plays. and as a result, he just wasn’t securing the catch. Don’t worry Eagles fans, it wasn’t the same as what you’ve seen with Nelson Agholor. Butler’s route tree does need to improve, but his measurables can make up for that. Most of his value comes from his ability to haul in contested catches anyway, and it’s rare that he doesn’t haul those in for big plays.
Richard Rodgers is more of a blocking tight end for Philly and isn’t part of the youth movement that the Eagles need to develop. Butler’s measurables and his fit with the Eagles’ offensive scheme could lead to a breakout performance in his NFL debut. Let’s take a look at why this might be ‘the Hakeem Butler game’ when it’s all said and done.