Denver Broncos agree to rookie deal with TE Jake Butt

The Denver Broncos have signed rookie tight end Jake Butt to a four-year contract. The fifth round pick out of Michigan has high expectations…

One of the Denver Broncos’ top rookies in the class of 2017, tight end Jake Butt, has apparently agreed to his rookie contract ahead of the team’s first meeting on Thursday evening…

The senior out of Pickerington, OH proved himself a valuable threat in the passing game over the past four years as a member of the Maize and Blue, making 37 starts in 49 career games and winning the John Mackey Award as the nation’s top tight end last season.

Butt was a first-team All Big Ten selection first-team All American, and co-captain this past season, hauling in a career-high four touchdown passes. He finished his Michigan career with 138 receptions, 1,646 yards (11.9 yards per reception), and 11 touchdown grabs.

The Denver Broncos were incredibly lucky to land Butt in the fifth round of this year’s draft. They moved off of their original fourth round selection, trading down with Cleveland, who gave them two fifth round picks to move up.

With the top pick in the fifth round, the Broncos were excited to get Butt despite the fact that he tore his ACL in his final collegiate game, leading to his draft weekend slide.

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Were it not for the ACL injury, many believe Butt would have gone between the 1st and 3rd round. That’s justifiable based on his on-field play and consistency. Had Butt entered the weak tight end class of 2016, he probably would have been the first one off the board.

With the Broncos’ current situation at tight end, it made sense to go after a little risk/reward player like Jake Butt, who may start the season on the PUP depending on his progression from offseason surgery.

His goal is, obviously, to get back on the field as soon as possible. If he is able to contribute for the Broncos in 2017, it would be a massive upgrade to the passing game. Butt has soft hands and can work all levels of the field. He’s athletic and able to make plays after the catch, and he’s a competitive blocker, though he needs work in that area.

The Broncos are seeking legitimate third and fourth options in the passing game, and Butt has the ability to provide additional firepower.

John Elway and the front office are working hard to get every draft pick signed prior to the team’s rookie camp this weekend.