New Orleans Saints are hopeful Emmanuel Butler can make debut against Vikings

The New Orleans Saints are looking for options to pair with Michael Thomas, and they’re hopeful that player is rookie receiver Emmanuel Butler.

Last season, Michael Thomas was the main target for future Hall of Fame quarterback Drew Brees. However, there really wasn’t a second option in the New Orleans Saints receiving corp. This season, they’re hoping that changes.

With only five picks in the 2018 NFL Draft, the NFC’s best team has to be selective, only targeting positions they were seriously lacking in like center and safety, the positions they spent their top picks on.

But, after the draft, the talent was still on the board, so the Saints bought in.

They snagged receiver Emmanuel Butler, an undrafted rookie out of Northern Arizona. Since then, the rookie has been turning heads, and the team is hopefully their fans will get a first glimpse of his abilities in their first preseason outing.

Head coach Sean Payton seemed uplifted about Butler progress as he made his return to practice this week.

"“He’s real close,” coach Sean Payton said Wednesday after practice. “We’re hopeful he can play this Friday.”"

The Saints will take on the Minnesota Vikings tonight at 8 pm EST. While the starters may get some reps, the preseason is the time to both get the starting team prepared and to show of your young talent.

Emmanuel Butler is that young talent.

Many have taken notice of the 6-foot-4 receiver, including the voice of the Saints, Zach Strief, who believes the team is extremely high on the wide out.

“I think they’re extremely high on Emmanuel Butler. I think they feel really, really good about that guy. I think he’s a player. He’s a guy I think you turn around in three or four years and just be like, I can’t believe we got that guy undrafted. We stole him.”

While the Saints certainly could’ve made a play for the receiver in the draft, there’s no need if they can get him without utilizing one of their few picks. Overall, there are a ton of receiver hopefuls that are signed undrafted.

Let’s hope Butler can break away from the tradition bunch and become the Saints go-to receiver, obviously after superstar Michael Thomas.