Much has already been written here at NSS about the Seahawks 2009 draft picks. But now that almost a week has passed and training camp looms, it's time to start taking a more concrete look at their role in Seattle.
To start is perhaps the player who will prove to be Seattle's most important rookie, next to Aaron Curry of course. That's WR Deon Butler.
A four-year starter at Penn State, Butler is the prototypical Ruskell pick and should be an immediate contributor. But how much he contributes remains to be seen.
To continue...
Deon Butler
5-10
182 pounds
College stats:
Former third round picks
Rounds two through four have been very favorable for GM Tim Ruskell. He's only drafted three times in the third, but that round has yielded starters Brandon Mebane and Leroy Hill. We won't mention the quarterback drafted in that round...
The surrounding rounds are filled with starters and prominent backups. Out of 12 picks in these middle rounds, only two could be called outright misses so far (he who shall not be named, Baraka Atkins).
Butler appears to be a typical Ruskell pick in the mold of TE John Carlson or DE Darryl Tapp. He's highly skilled, highly productive and fits perfectly into the system. This is often a recipe for success.
The skills
Penn State is not known for its passing offense, which accounts for Butler's modest numbers. Still, he managed to break several receiving records there, including the career receptions mark formerly held by Bobby Engram.
At Penn State, he also proved to be a quick learner, breaking the school records for receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns for a freshman. This bodes well for a smooth transition into the NFL.
Go here for a more in-depth analysis of Butler's skills as a receiver. Summed up, he's a quick, skilled route-runner with great hands and blazing deep speed.
Rookie projection
Assuming WR Deion Branch remains with the team this year, it's going to be difficult for Butler to crack into the top three receivers. Here they are:
1. T.J. Houshmandzadeh
2. Deion Branch
3. Nate Burleson
That leaves a competition for the no. 4 spot between Butler and Ben Obomanu, a promising fourth-year player who's yet to produce in the regular season.
Going out on a limb, Butler's speed and reliable hands may be enough to beat out Obomanu. Even still, OC Greg Knapp doesn't use many four-wide sets, but all 'Hawks fans know the fragility of Seattle's top receivers.
Butler's chances may not come early, but it will come, and he should have the chance to play the hero or goat at some point in the season. He'll also have a chance to be the punt returner, though he wasn't one in college, so that's tough to project.
Butler has received a lot of comparisons to Engram, albeit a faster version, but it took Engram a few seasons to breakout in the league. The same should be expected of Butler.
Of course, Engram played for the Bears then. With Seattle's effective passing game and injury-plagued starting receivers, the rookie projection for Butler is:
426 receiving yards
2 touchdowns
The long projection
The best-case scenario for Seattle is Butler becomes the eventual replacement for Branch.
If he can put on 10-15 pounds of muscle in the next couple years, then he could definitely become a top 20 receiver in the vein of Green Bay's Greg Jennings or Pittsburgh's Santonio Holmes (without the drug charges).
If QB Matt Hasselbeck can stay healthy or Seattle can land an eventual heir, then Butler should develop into a 900-1,000 yard receiver in a few seasons. He has all the tools to excel in a West Coast offense.
If he pans out, look to Butler being a starter by 2011.
Feel free to offer comments or criticism as this is a highly debatable subject.
Reach Jeff Richards at nextseasonsports@gmail.com
