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NFL Draft 2019: Top 32 prospects – Post-Senior Bowl edition

By Conor Dorney

ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN - NOVEMBER 17: Rashan Gary #3 of the Michigan Wolverines looks on while playing the Indiana Hoosiers at Michigan Stadium on November 17, 2018 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Michigan won the game 31-20. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN - NOVEMBER 17: Rashan Gary #3 of the Michigan Wolverines looks on while playing the Indiana Hoosiers at Michigan Stadium on November 17, 2018 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Michigan won the game 31-20. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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SAN ANTONIO, TX – DECEMBER 28: Iowa State Cyclones wide receiver Hakeem Butler (18) reaches out for a catch during the Alamo Bowl between the Washington State Cougars and Iowa State Cyclones on December 28, 2018 at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo by Daniel Dunn/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
SAN ANTONIO, TX – DECEMBER 28: Iowa State Cyclones wide receiver Hakeem Butler (18) reaches out for a catch during the Alamo Bowl between the Washington State Cougars and Iowa State Cyclones on December 28, 2018 at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo by Daniel Dunn/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

If you’re looking to build the perfect NFL red zone target, you’d feel pretty good about basing your design off of Iowa State’s Hakeem Butler.

At 6-foot-6, 225 pounds, Butler is long and unsurprisingly great at using his body to shield opposing defenders at the catch point. With a seemingly endless catch radius, was a big-play machine for the Cyclones in 2018, amassing over 1,300 yards receiving and nine touchdowns to the tune of 22 yards per reception.

While he isn’t extremely agile, Butler is surprisingly quick for his height and shows excellent ability to make people miss and fight through contact after the catch. Butler also possesses excellent hands and shows willingness and physicality as a blocker, where he utilizes his length to lock out opposing defensive backs.

Butler is the type of player who will create matchup nightmares in the red zone early and often in his NFL career. With further development as a route runner, he could very well become one of the best receivers in the entire class.

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