Butler is an intriguing player. I haven't watched any of the XFL, but Butler is a big target. He could potentially be a fit to play a role similar to what Lazards role was in the offense. The mauler type.

How about the Packers sign good players rather than washouts from the minor leagues? What a novel concept?

Canella not being brought back in the PS was a mild surprise to me, at least as a pass catching option. I don’t recall him showing much ability as a blocker. I’m wondering if there’s something that persuaded us to move on even when in season slots opened.

Butler, Davis and Harris would be worth a camp look on minimum contracts, but these guys are now on teams’ radars, so the one or two that really shine may get more than that.

Whether and what the chances are that any would break through is a good question. Few CFL players make it and by December last year, the only USFL players on an NFL roster were WR/KR KaVontae Turpin (Generals-Cowboys) and , technically, DE Chris Odom on preseason season ending Injured Reserve with Cleveland. Odom has bounced around the league for a while. There were 20 odd on practice squads, and that probably indicative of the most likely upside.

Would I say no to adding a couple for camp? No. Do I see any helping this year? The odds are strongly against it apparently.

I like the out of the box thinking. Let’s see how they do in training camp. Sometimes players just need a chance and good coaching.

Butler was a stud in college @ Iowa State. 2018 was his senior year when he caught 60 balls for 1300 yrds. and 9 TDs. Thats 22 YPC boys. He also ran under 4.5 40 @ combine @ 6'5 225 lbs. I was surprised he lasted until the 4th round and drafted by Arizona. I was watching to see if Green Bay might grab him in the 3rd round. He broke his hand and got cut. They really didn't give him a chance. He is a bigger and faster version of Lazard and from the same school. You can't teach speed especially at that height.

In 2018 our awesome draft class included:
2nd round bust Josh Jackson
Traded up in 3rd for Oren Burkes (that was pretty shrewd)
Passed on Hakeem Butler-the WR in this article for 1 year wonder Jmon Moore in the 4th round
and wasted both 5th round picks on punter J K Scott, and OL Cole Madison.
Other than Jaire Alexander and Valdes Scantling that 11 pick draft was a total failure.

Maybe we would do better with XFL players, we sure don't draft that well.

I wouldn't just poo poo these guys because of where they are now playing. They are looking for second chances and Green Bay should be looking at everyone. With our salary cap issues we are currently shopping in the Bargain Basement.

I've watched a lot of the XFL this season and I agree with Wendell's analysis, especially McCarron. He will never be confused Tom Brady but he easily could be a veteran back up and I bet he will work cheap.

The rest, like Cannella, are a toss up. If they have NFL experience they will stand out during this level of play. But they aren't in the NFL for a variety of reasons. One exception could be the kicker Eberle. Kicking is kicking and you have to do essentially the same thing be it in the NFL, CFL, or lower level college ball. The goal posts and the distances stay roughly the same.

We need 90 bodies to start training camp. These 7 have been getting reps, experience and a chance to improve their craft. These 7 (or others) plus another bunch of UFDA's (plus the draft picks) will compete for the final 53 + practice squad. Give them a "go" and see where the chips fall. It can only raise the level of competition on the bottom.

That said, McCarron could function as a decent/cheap back-up qb and he does have experience in the Shanahan system. Eberle could be a "camp leg" and he does have (unlike the current kicker on the roster) recent game experience.

You can sign off people practice squads that are better then these guys. Bring them into camp but if you think you will find much you are fooling yourself.

Knock I am a Hawkeye fan too. Iowa State is a big rival we play every year. So I get to see their good players year after year. They are starting to get some players drafted again and they have a fabulous coach in Matt Campbell.

The NFL, even with their almighty wisdom isn't always right about which players can and can't play a certain position if they don't fit the cookie cutter mold. Arms have to be so long, hands so big, you have to be so fast to play a certain position, or if you don't play in a Pro Style offense you can't play QB. Thats bullshit. Hakeem Butler exceeded all of the WR prerequisites and he still didn't make it with a team. Maybe the Packers can right a wrong and benefit from it too.

Allen Lazard should have been drafted and this WR, Hakeem Butler could make our team, easily. He is talented, big and fast. Sometimes they fall through the cracks, the XFL will get some noticed again.

Green Bay needs to turn over every rock for players especially because of lack of salary cap resources. We need weapons for Love to succeed and I am not saying Butler is a Pro Bowl WR. He is a guy with a lot of tools and potential and at least worth a shot. Definitely a minimum contract player with potential. Drops were a negative, he was physical and actually ran over a lot of D-Backs in college as evidenced by his production. I always look at WRs that have big YPC and Butlers was huge at 22 YPC. Butler reminds me of Darrin Waller, Raider TE.

Its very eerie how much Butlers measurables and early career path mimics Lazards to this point. When Lazard ran his slower combine 40 time, with his size I envisioned Green Bay drafting him and making him a TE. I was bummed when we didn't pick him but happy when we claimed him later. Butler was actually drafted but had his issues and the injury that ended his time with Arizona. Bottom line is Butler has formidable skills and Green Bay has a need for WR and TE. Green Bay also has limited money and Butler would be cheap. Maybe we get lucky and hit a home run.

Coincidently, Iowa State has a WR prospect in Xavier Hutchinson who would fit Green Bays WR need really nicely and we wouldn't have to spend a 1st or 2nd round pick on him. He is a really skilled route runner and unlike Butler, Hutchinson catches everything. He had bigtime production @ Iowa State while always targeted as their #1 receiving threat. He reminds me a lot of Devonte Adams when he came out of college. Same size, speed, and huge stats. We need to trade back with #15 and then use our first picks on more important positions of need. TE and Edge. The extra picks would then let us get our S, WR and D-line picks early.

Some potential good rumors floating around that San Francisco might be a player for Rodgers. That could push the Jets to offer more and get this trade done. Lack of competition for Rodgers has been hurting us.