The Broncos did some moving and shaking early on Day 3 so they didn’t pick until the first selection of round five, but it certainly was a value selection nabbing Michigan tight end Jake Butt.
Enjoy @JBooty_88, @Broncos! You'll like this guy. #GoBlue #ProBlue #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/cCEbiiNMza
— Michigan Football (@UMichFootball) April 29, 2017
Size: 6-foot-5, 246 pounds
College: Michigan
Age: 21
Butt, please no jokes, was extremely productive at Michigan earning back-to-back second-team All-American and John Mackey (nation’s best tight end) honors. He’ll bring another talent to a Broncos tight end room.
The Wolverines tight end was a likely second round pick before tearing his anterior cruciate ligament December 30th against Florida State. He’s a bit of a risk-reward pick due to the injury, but the the value is certainly there. When Butt is ready to contribute, he’ll push Virgil Green, A.J. Derby and Jeff Heuerman for significant playing time.
Butt said he’s right on schedule to recover from his torn ACL by the start of the regular season, September 11. It’s the second time he’s torn his right ACL. The first time, February 2014 after his freshman year at Michigan, he returned to play in less than seven months. He also had meniscus damage with his first injury.
Those Big Ten guys that come in with jacked up knees usually end up doing alright. Pumped for @JBooty_88.
— Trevor Siemian (@TrevorSiemian) April 29, 2017
The Denver Post scouting report
Strengths: Has the size, strength to be more traditional, ‘Y’ in-line tight end. Consistent, good hands. Good awareness, route running to find zones in a defense. Can be a number one TE.
Weaknesses: Four months removed from a torn ACL. Has to improve as a blocker. He’s not an elite athlete or deep threat. Can he separate consistently?