Panthers Working Out UFL Offensive Player of the Year to Solidify WR Room

The Carolina Panthers aren’t leaving any stone unturned involving their roster ahead of training camp next month. 

This offseason, the Panthers have made a concerted effort to bolster their wide receiver room after not getting consistent production last season. Carolina acquired Diontae Johnson from the Pittsburgh Steelers, drafted Xavier Legette in the first round, added more wide receiver depth in the UDFA period, and reportedly will sign Daewood Davis from the UFL.

Davis, who was named to the All-UFL Offense team after an excellent season with the Memphis Showboats, may not be the only UFL player joining the Panthers for training camp this summer. 

On Monday, Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network reported that St. Louis Battlehawks wide receiver Hakeem Butler is expected to work out for the Panthers before summer break. Butler was one of the best receivers, let alone offensive players in the league, winning UFL Offensive Player of the Year.

The star receiver recorded 45 receptions for 652 receiving yards and five touchdowns. Butler saw his UFL season end Sunday night in the XFL Conference Championship against the San Antonio Brahmas.

The former NFL receiver led the Battlehawks with six receptions for 59 yards in the 10-point loss to San Antonio. After the game, Brahmas head coach and former NFL coach Wade Phillips showed love to Butler and said, “I'm going to tell everyone in the NFL that I talk to, you need to be playing."

The Battlehawks wide receiver has had a few cups of coffee in the NFL, which included being drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the fourth round of the 2018 draft. 

Butler was signed last summer by the Pittsburgh Steelers after his first season playing spring ball. However, Butler only lasted four days on the roster as he was waived due to injury. 

The UFL star receiver hopes to have an extended stay in the NFL this time around. But it won’t be easy, as the Panthers are loaded at receiver. 

The last time Butler was in Carolina was in 2020, and they had him listed as a tight end. Things should be different this time around; as Butler is a better player from four years ago.

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