Now is the time for rookies and new-signees to show their stuff and fight for a last minute roster spot. Per Bleacher Report, for the New Orleans Saints, it’s wide receiver Emmanuel Butler who is impressing at training camp.
When an undrafted rookie steps to the podium to speak after practice at training camp, that’s a sign he’s doing something right. Emmanuel Butler talked about his relationship with quarterback Drew Brees and the drive to push himself this offseason.
ESPN.com’s Mike Triplett heard the buzz surrounding Butler within the New Orleans Saints organization.
”Butler with the best catch of practice so far. Went up high in traffic to snag the pass from Taysom Hill. I heard that he impressed the team this summer. That should help, too,” Triplett tweeted.
Butler became the first player at Northern Arizona to log 1,000-plus receiving yards in two seasons. In 2017, he suffered a shoulder injury that sidelined him for all but two contests. The standout wideout registered 35 catches for 676 yards and seven scores last year.
At 6’4”, 220 pounds, Butler could draw comparisons to former Saints wide receiver Marques Colston—a 6’4”, 225-pounder who was a 2006 seventh-rounder out of Hofstra.
Wide receiver Tre’Quan Smith may emerge to claim the No. 2 wideout spot, but he may feel a push from Butler if the rookie continues to shine in the summer.
With Cam Meredith now a member of the New England Patriots, there is definitely a roster spot at wide receiver up for grab. And if Butler keeps impressing like this at camp, he could very well find himself a member of the team come Week 1.
That's Emmanuel Butler on Lattimore too pic.twitter.com/5IOdoJ0OIC
— Tyler McLatchy (@TyMcLatchy) July 29, 2019