The 49ers are casting a wide net in their search for wide receiver prospects, and they’re not limiting themselves to Day 2 or 3 prospects. A day after having Arizona State’s N’Keal Harry in, San Francisco hosted Iowa State’s Hakeem Butler according to Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area.
Butler is perhaps the wide receiver with the best physical tools in this year’s class. He measured out at 6-5, 227 pounds at the combine and posted a 4.48 in the 40-yard dash.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan doesn’t typically look for size in his receiver, but it’s definitely a bonus. Butler is very good at using his size to go over the top of defensive backs and pluck passes out of the air, but he’s also excellent with the ball in his hands on short throws.
A limited route tree and unrefined route running could hurt his stock some, but they physical traits could make him an elite receiver if he takes to NFL coaching.
Butler only posted modest numbers as a redshirt-sophomore, but exploded for 1,318 yards and nine touchdowns on 60 catches as a redshirt-junior. He averaged 22 yards-per-reception in his final year with the Cyclones.
The 49ers may be looking for a more ready-made NFL receiver, but Butler’s physical tools and promising skill set could make him San Francisco’s target with the No. 36 pick.
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