The Denver Broncos are adding an intriguing piece at wide receiver ahead of mandatory minicamp by signing 6-foot-5, 242-pound veteran and 2-time UFL Offensive Player of the Year Hakeem Butler.
“The Broncos are signing veteran WR and UFL offensive player of the year Hakeem Butler, sources say,” NFL Network’s Mike Garofolo wrote on his official X account on Monday. “A 2019 fourth-round pick of the Cardinals, Butler led the UFL with 641 yards receiving on 29 catches for the St. Louis Battlehawks and now joins Denver ahead of minicamp.”
Butler hasn’t played in an NFL regular-season game since 2020, with the Philadelphia Eagles and hasn’t been on an NFL offseason roster since 2024 with the Cincinnati Bengals.
Butler Left School Early to Enter NFL Draft
Butler might be 1 of the great stories in the NFL in 2026 if he can somehow make a 53-man roster — mainly because he’s been on an incredible football odyssey since the Arizona Cardinals drafted him in the 4th round (No. 103 overall) of the 2019 NFL draft.
After setting the Iowa State single-season receiving yardage record in 2018 with 60 receptions for 1,318 yards and 9 touchdowns as a junior, Butler left school with 1 year of eligibility remaining to enter the draft after earning All-Big 12 and All-American honors.
Butler stood out at the NFL scouting combine, where he ran the 40-yard dash in 4.48 seconds and measured closer to 6-foot-6.
“Big long-strider with exceptional length and good build-up speed to challenge cover corners and safeties down the field,” NFL draft analyst Lance Zierlein wrote in his pre-draft evaluation in 2019. “Butler’s unique play strength after the catch allows him to win contested deep balls and then plow through tackle attempts to create chunk plays and long touchdowns. His routes are basic and clunky and will limit how teams can use him. A greater concern will be those inconsistent hands that could turn quarterbacks against him unless he improves them. He’s a work in progress, but the traits and potential are worth taking a shot.”
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