Matt Waldman’s RSP Boiler Room examines the routes and ball tracking of Iowa State receiver Hakeem Butler, a 2019 NFL Draft prospect. 

My YouTube videos are intended to give you a peek into my process of evaluating draft prospects. These are not end-product takes of players. Watch enough of these Boiler Rooms and Film Rooms and you will learn a lot about the craft of scouting football players.

This video shares some of my initial insights into Cyclones’ receiver Hakeem Butler’s game.  So far, I like what I see:

• Advanced ball tracking.
• Active hands at the catch point.
• The potential for professional-level hard breaks.
• Skilled stems on vertical routes to set up breaks.
• Functional quickness and power after the catch.

You’ll hear me say “Nicks” in reference to Butler in the middle of this video. Butler is a lot bigger but Nicks played big at the catch point downfield when in his prime. It might wind up being a pretty good slip of the tongue.

If Butler’s ball-tracking and route running are what I expect and his workouts reveal better than average speed and quickness by NFL starter standards, I think he’ll develop into no worse than a free-access option who thrives against off-man coverage the way that Vincent Jackson did at his peak.

A lot will depend on his speed, acceleration, and stop-start quickness.

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