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Did James Butler help or hurt his draft status in his year at Iowa

Did James Butler help or hurt his draft status in his year at Iowa

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DutchyFunStar

DutchyFunStar

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After averaging 234 carries, 1340 yards, 5.7 avg and 22 total TDs in his last 2 years at Nevada
His total at Iowa: 96 carries for 396 yards, 4.4 average and 1 TD (missing 4 games w/ an elbow injury)

Did he show he could bang against a higher level of competition or would another year of gaudy numbers in the Mountain West have peaked more interest from pro scouts and coaches?
 
I’m guessing he didn’t constantly run into 8-9 man fronts before he came to Iowa. 4.4 yards per carry isn’t too bad, definitely showing he can play with the big boys.
 
Doesn't matter if he shows well in the combine he could end up getting better opportunities than Wadley. If Butler projects well in the NFL passing game he is a more complete NFL back that could be a solid backup and 3rd down back. Wadley's speed and agility is largely negated in the NFL with faster LB's and DB's. He wont be able to run through guys.
 
pkongsh said:
Does anyone truly think Butler is an NFL back? I would say he was the 4th best on our team this year. Not trying to be disrespectful, that's just what I saw.
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He's solid all around, but didn't seem as quick/shifty as either IK-M or Wadley or have their vision. I think he's pretty comparable to Young, albeit a couple years older.
 
I think he has a chance for NFL. He should test well at the combine, which is critical for him after his injury/season. He will do about a 4.5 40. And he has to catch the ball. Here’s where he will grade well vs others including Wadley and have a chance to make an NFL roster:
- Yards after contact
- Blocking
- Special teams
- Intelligence
- Leadership/ locker room

Stay tuned
 
JBO 7 said:
I think he has a chance for NFL. He should test well at the combine, which is critical for him after his injury/season. He will do about a 4.5 40. And he has to catch the ball. Here’s where he will grade well vs others including Wadley and have a chance to make an NFL roster:
- Yards after contact
- Blocking
- Special teams
- Intelligence
- Leadership/ locker room

Stay tuned
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I don’t think Butler will run anything below 4.6. No way Butler gets drafted but I suppose he has the frame and film to get a FA deal somewhere.
 
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We can presume that the only person that matters, Mr.. Butler, thought it was time to enter the NFL draft. it really doesn't make any difference what we speculate; mainly wishing he would stay.
 
I don't think that he gets a combine invite. He might have gotten a combine invite if he had stayed at Nevada. Either way, though, I don't think that he would have been drafted. I think that he isn't the right size/speed combination to get drafted.

But he has a shot to be a FA and do the LeShun Daniels route (practice squad, getting a look on an NFL team that has a bunch of RB injuries).
 
I definitely don't think that his stats at Iowa would hurt him if the NFL decides to draft him since he was hurt and did not play a portion of the season. He is certainly a solid back but I didn't see any special traits about him that would make him stand out to an NFL team. I would be surprised if he was drafted but I think someone would bring him into camp and take a look at him.
 
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unoHawkeye said:
He was a senior so there was no choice
Click to expand...

It was reported he could have taken a medical redshirt but decided he wanted to play even with a massive brace on his arm. It seems like he would have helped his draft stock had he tried to come back next year but he wanted to play.
 
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Guys, RB’s have an age/ shelf life (after 29 or so) and can only take so many hits. JB will be 23 in February and already graduated last summer. Regardless of NFL, it’s time for him to move on with his life.
 
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MWardT said:
It was reported he could have taken a medical redshirt but decided he wanted to play even with a massive brace on his arm. It seems like he would have helped his draft stock had he tried to come back next year but he wanted to play.
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Didn't know he was eligible before. Thanks
 
Nothing against Butler, he did exactly what he needed to do for us but there are 30 more of him every year trying to make a roster. He’s a good college back that does lots of things well but nothing great.
 
Heard the draft review board tabbed him as a late-1st to mid-2nd round pick. He must be viewed as the next Dermontti Dawson or Dwight Stephenson.

I wish him all the luck, but personally I'm not seeing it right now.

Unless he simply blows them away at the combine...(is he even allowed to go?)...then I predict early-3rd to early-4th for him.
 
Last edited:
I'm pretty sure his draft status is the same now as it was last year.....and the same as mine.
 
A strong combine could make the difference on getting drafted. Otherwise free agent. Several teams already doing background checks on him.
 
The injury hut him this year and his draft status. Not enough carries or yards this year to warrant being drafted.

He is the perfect FA, showed potential but stock is low currently. If he makes the team then it's a bonus, if not, at least he didn't cost anything.

He seemed like a junior who would be ready to make his mark next year with a full load of carries. Unfortunately he was a senior
 
Auger said:
Doesn't matter if he shows well in the combine he could end up getting better opportunities than Wadley. If Butler projects well in the NFL passing game he is a more complete NFL back that could be a solid backup and 3rd down back. Wadley's speed and agility is largely negated in the NFL with faster LB's and DB's. He wont be able to run through guys.
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Could they turn Wadley into a receiver?
 
LaQuintaHawkeye said:
Heard the draft review board tabbed him as a late-1st to mid-2nd round pick. He must be viewed as the next Dermontti Dawson or Dwight Stephenson.

I wish him all the luck, but personally I'm not seeing it right now.

Unless he simply blows them away at the combine...(is he even allowed to go?)...then I predict early-3rd to early-4th for him.
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Are you talking Jackson, Wadley or Butler? Only JJ would be considered a 1st or 2nd round pick, Wadley is probably 3rd or 4th and Butler an FA if anything.
 
BigOHawk said:
Are you talking Jackson, Wadley or Butler? Only JJ would be considered a 1st or 2nd round pick, Wadley is probably 3rd or 4th and Butler an FA if anything.
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Oooops, for some reason I read the thread title as James Daniels.

My bad :oops:
 
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