Hakeem Butler

Career Stats

Year	Team	GP	Rec	Yards	TD
Career		2	—	—	—
2024		3	1	12	0
2023		1	1	17	0
2020		2	0

Current Contract

Contract Value Index (CVI)

Spotrac flags Hakeem Butler's contract as a market-rate deal; FanVerdicts grades it C+ Contract Value Index because the production-to-pay ratio shakes out accordingly. At $1.005M on a one-year rookie deal, Denver is paying minimal dollars for a depth receiver, which ordinarily screams bargain — but Butler's 2024 season output of 12 receiving yards across three games, coupled with his lengthy track record of NFL underperformance, means the team is getting exactly what it's paying for: a low-cost lottery ticket competing for reserve snaps rather than a functional contributor. The Contract Value Index reflects neither a steal nor an overpay; it's fair value for a flyer on a 30-year-old wideout whose rare 6'7" frame and dual UFL Offensive Player of the Year awards have earned him organizational interest, yet whose NFL execution remains the primary risk. A one-year, sub-$1.1M commitment carries zero contract drag and minimal downside, which prevents this from being a value disaster, but Butler's age and proven limitations in the league also prevent the Broncos from banking on meaningful return on such a modest investment. Given Denver's recent moves along the offensive and defensive line — calculated low-risk signings and cuts — this deal fits the team's offseason philosophy of depth gambles without financial commitment, positioning Butler as a sensible C+ value proposition: cheap enough to swing on upside, realistic enough to absorb disappointment.

Contracts in the Same Value Band

Other same-position deals the Contract Value Index also places in the C band — a quick read on where Hakeem's contract sits relative to comparable money.

Performance Analysis2/16 Games

Hakeem Butler has played 2 career games, which is below the 16-game minimum required for a performance grade. Once Hakeem reaches 16 career games, the system will automatically generate a performance grade based on position-specific statistics.

Fan Sentiment

Beat coverage and fan boards are running roughly even on Hakeem Butler, landing him at a C+ sentiment grade. The narrative centers on redemption and risk: Butler's dual UFL Offensive Player of the Year awards have earned him legitimate intrigue, and his 6'7" frame represents rare physical upside that resonates with evaluators hungry for depth receiver contributions. But the media is clear-eyed about the friction — his lengthy NFL track record of underperformance tempers enthusiasm, and most coverage positions this as a low-cost gamble rather than a statement acquisition. The Broncos' broader offseason moves, including the addition of Sean Payton as head coach and a series of defensive tweaks, suggest Denver is pursuing calculated low-risk flyers on talent rather than desperate plugs, which slightly lifts Butler's standing as a calculated organizational bet. At 30 and in his second professional cycle, Butler is competing for depth snaps in a stable playoff-contending environment, not an immediate offensive engine — and that modest expectation-setting is why sentiment hasn't broken above the middle of the scale.