Brice

Butler

According to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, the Cowboys will trade their 2016 fifth-rounder for Oakland’s sixth-rounder if Butler lasts six games on the roster. A 2013 seventh rounder, Butler has always been an intriguing size/speed prospect. He stands in at 6-foot-3, 215 pounds with 4.4 wheels. He caught 21 passes in 15 games last season, and has put up nice numbers in the preseason, including this year. It’s concerning that a team as talent-deficient as Oakland is giving up on him, of course, but GM Reggie McKenzie isn’t exactly the best at evaluation. Butler could eventually come into a game-day role for the receiver-needy Cowboys.

Oakland signed WR Brandon LaFell Monday morning so it’s entirely possible they’re already out on Butler. Signing him wouldn’t make much sense anyways since Butler is only 28 and the Raiders have strictly shown interest in players approaching their age-35 season. An explosive deep threat, Butler is sure to find a team willing to give him an opportunity soon.

Butler, a seventh-round pick out of San Diego State, was targeted four times on the night but had a brutal drop on a first-quarter third-and-17 pass that would have been a first down. Butler shined in the preseason, catching five passes for 108 yards and a score. He has just six catches for 72 yards after three regular-season games. This goes without saying, but leave him on the wire.

One of the few shining lights of a miserable Raiders summer, Butler has flashed big-play ability while pushing for first-team snaps. At the moment, he’s still the No. 4 wide receiver behind Denarius Moore, Rod Streater, and Jacoby Ford. Moore has really struggled, however, while Streater suffered a Friday night concussion and Ford has long demonstrated poor durability.

Butler flashed as a seventh-round rookie last preseason, but wound up dropping three of his 17 regular season targets, and didn’t catch a pass after Week 6. Blessed with size (6'3/214) and speed (4.37), Butler remains a project entering his second season. His roster odds took a hit when James Jones was signed.

Butler played on just 29.4 percent of the snaps last season, posting a 21-280-2 line. At 6'3/214 with 4.37 speed, he’s capable of much more. We saw that during the preseason, when Butler caught 13 passes for 206 yards with four touchdowns in four games. Whatever the mental issues are, Butler will be a candidate to flash if he can get them cleaned up and get an opportunity. He’s a name to monitor.

It dampens Butler’s roster chances, as he’s now unlikely to suit up for this weekend’s regular-season dress rehearsal. The No. 209 overall pick of last year’s draft, Butler caught nine passes across 10 games.

Butler had a strong preseason, but is still bringing up the rear of the depth chart. Chekwa has a knee injury, while Roach is still sidelined with a concussion. Miles Burris and Kaluka Maiava will pick up the slack for Roach.

Butler continues to light it up against third-stringers. The 2013 seventh-rounder out of San Diego State now has 11 catches for 178 yards with three touchdowns in three preseason games, surely solidifying his spot on the 53-man roster.

Butler appeared in 15 games for the Raiders, but never got a real chance to play significant snaps. He finished with 21-280-2 in his second NFL season. We wouldn’t give up on this kid in deep Dynasty formats though, as he’s flashed difference-making ability in preseason games. Butler goes 6'3/210 with sub-4.4 speed and will be back for the third year of his rookie contract.