Big-play menace with rare catch radius and explosive YAC juice
In 2026, Hakeem Butler led the UFL with 641 receiving yards and 22.1 yards per catch for St. Louis, reminding evaluators that his 6-5 frame and long-striding explosiveness still create mismatch problems downfield[7][8]. The Iowa State product has a proven big-play profile from college, where he posted 1,318 receiving yards and 9 touchdowns in the 2018 season, and his appeal is the combination of size, ball-tracking, and stride-for-stride separation after the catch[11][13]. He’s a fit for teams that want a vertical X receiver with real red-zone utility, though his pro path also shows he’s been a bit of a journeyman, so durability and consistency matter[7][14].
