The Dallas Cowboys have acquired depth at wide receiver with All-Pro Dez Bryant sidelined for at least the next month.
Owner Jerry Jones traded an undisclosed draft pick to the Raiders in exchange for Brice Butler, per David Helman of the Cowboys' official website. NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport adds Dallas sent a conditional fifth-rounder for Butler and a sixth-round pick.
Although Butler caught our eye with an impressive preseason performance as a seventh-round rookie back in 2013, he has been unable to climb an underwhelming depth chart in Oakland.
The former San Diego State star has caught 30 passes for 383 yards and two touchdowns over the past two seasons.
Despite the relative lack of production, this is a worthwhile flier for a Cowboys team with little depth behind Terrance Williams and Cole Beasley.
Butler is an intriguing size/speed prospect at 6-foot-3 and 215 pounds with 4.37 wheels. Scouts and beat writers have raved about his potentialon the practice field.
"Brice Butlerjumps off the tape," Browns coach Mike Pettine said prior to an October matchup last season. "I know he doesn't get a ton of touches, but when he does, he's a major threat."
For all that promise, why has Butler been buried by two different coaching staffs in Oakland?
Bay Area News Group's Jerry McDonald suggested during the offseason that he has simply made too many mental errors.
If that's the knock on Butler, it's fair to wonder if he will be up to speed on Scott Linehan's playbook in time to make a dramatic impact before Bryant returns to game action.
