Why Jake Butt was the steal of the 2017 NFL Draft
The Denver Broncos came away with a steal in tight end Jake Butt from the 2017 NFL Draft, perhaps the biggest thievery of the entire class…
When the Denver Broncos drafted Jake Butt, he instantly became a fan favorite. He’s no stranger to extra attention from the fans, as Michigan faithful let it be known on Saturdays that they ‘like Jake Butt, and they cannot lie.’
More than just a name, however, Butt is an absolute stud on the football field. The more I dive into the Broncos’ 2017 NFL Draft class, the more I’m beginning to see why Butt was not only perhaps their best pick, but maybe the best pick any team made in the entire draft.
Now, I’m not saying that Butt is a better pro prospect than Myles Garrett or anything like that. I’m saying that for where the Broncos were able to get him, he will likely prove to be the best bang for the buck in this year’s class.
Players like this simply do not last to the fifth round.
Here are the reasons why Butt was the steal of the 2017 NFL Draft…
5. Mental preparation
It’s hard not to love the way Butt approaches the game off the field. After reading his article with the Player’s Tribune, watching his press conferences with the Broncos, and watching a number of different video interviews, it’s clear that Butt loves the mental aspect of the game of football.
Offensive coordinator said this about Butt during OTAs:
"“I love the way Jake comes and prepares every day. As you watch the film of practice, he’s always back there behind the offense and going through his steps. He asks great questions in meetings. He loves the game of football and he’s a gym rat, so you love the way he approaches it every day.” Mike McCoy, Broncos offensive coordinator (quotes obtained via Broncos PR)"
Of course right now, the mental aspect of football is really all Butt can focus on. He’s recovering from an injury he suffered in January, so he’s not participating in every on-field drill. He’ll work off to the side some, but it’s mostly mental reps for the rookie tight end, and even in that regard, he’s impressing his coaches.
Head coach Vance Joseph had this to say back in May:
"“His maturity. When you’re around Jake, you can see the maturity as far as the football player and the person. In meetings, he’s in the front row. He’s taking every note. He’s a guy that’s played at a high level for a long time. We’re excited about Jake. He just needs time to get healthy. It’s his second injury, very similar to the first one. He’s aware of the process. He’s in good spirits and happy to be here. When he gets healthy, he can help us.”"