Fantasy Upside
As the team's official website notes, the Cardinals passed on big-name wideouts to sign Butler to a two-year, $2.6 million deal in April. He becomes another option for the No. 2 wide receiver role behind star Larry Fitzgerald. Butler has one of the longest resumes among the candidates, with 73 catches for 1,177 yards, and eight touchdowns in five NFL seasons.
Butler hopes previous success against the Cardinals will carry over as he joins them. In 2014, he hauled in a 55-yard pass against the Cardinals while with the Raiders. Last season he played a pivotal role in the Cowboys’ 28-17 win at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Week 3, catching two passes for 90 yards, including a 37-yard touchdown to break a fourth-quarter tie.
Fantasy Downside
He had 15 catches for 317 yards and three scores a year ago for the Cowboys, averaging a robust 21.1 yards per catch. AZCardinals.com's Kyle Odegard explained, however, an average that high generally means a player isn’t getting the lion’s share of targets. That was the case in Dallas as Butler sat behind Dez Bryant, Terrence Williams, and Cole Beasley on the depth chart. The fact he never rose higher—even with Bryant struggling in recent seasons, isn't promising. As Bleacher Report put it, "Butler still hasn't equaled the sum of his parts. He's a highly athletic receiver who doesn't do enough of the little things to ever warrant starter snaps."
2018 Bottom Line
The pecking order in Arizona remains undetermined, with Butler competing against J.J. Nelson, Chad Williams, and rookie Christian Kirk for playing time. So Butler has a chance to establish a role. But fantasy managers shouldn't bank on him doing so until/unless they see evidence of it prior to Week 1.
Week 6 at Green Bay
After a nine target performance for Brice Butler in Week 4, the receiver was only targeted three times last week. With Dez Bryant out, QB Dak Prescott has been spreading the ball around. So each, week it will be hard to determine which one will be his favorite. For that reason, keep Butler on the bench, even with a good matchup against the Packers.
Week 5 vs Bengals
Brice Butler is a new face to fantasy because of his Week 4 performance, which saw him targeted nine times. With Dez Bryant still out, Butler has passed Terrance Williams as far as expectations are concerned.
With that said, we have not seen enough of Butler to start him, but he should be at least on your fantasy radar.
Week 17 – Brice Butler at Denver Broncos
Brice Butler did not catch a pass in Week 16 and heads into the season finale with just 20 receptions. Butler has shown enough to not be completely ruled out of Oakland’s future plans, but he lacks any kind of fantasy value.
Week 16 – Brice Butler vs. Buffalo Bills
Brice Butler hauled in three passes for 23 yards in Week 15. Butler is a player who does not command regular targets, leaving him devoid of fantasy value.
Week 15 – Brice Butler at Oakland Raiders
Brice Butler did not catch a pass in Week 14 and has just 17 receptions in 12 games. Butler is not a scrub, but his usage level would have to rise dramatically before any owners should pay serious attention to him.
Week 14 – Brice Butler vs. San Francisco 49ers
Brice Butler caught two passes for 27 yards in Week 13. Butler has showed promise this year, which is nice for Oakland as they need all the help they can get, but there is not a single wide receiver on the Oakland roster worth starting in what could be a brutal matchup with San Francisco.
Week 13 – Brice Butler at St. Louis Rams
Through 12 games, Brice Butler has 15 receptions. As long as Butler is stuck behind James Jones and Andre Holmes, he will be useless to all entities across the fantasy landscape.
Week 12 – Brice Butler vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Brice Butler caught one pass for 15 yards in Oakland’s Week 11 loss to San Diego. While Butler is not devoid of talent, the bad team he plays for and his position on the depth chart have him serving a long sentence on the waiver wire with limited chance for parole.
Week 11 – Brice Butler at San Diego Chargers
Brice Butler caught just two passes last Sunday, but one went for a touchdown. While Butler looks like one of the few promising players on the Oakland roster, he does not have a prime spot on the depth chart and his overall reception total is low. His time may come, but it is not here now.
