Denver Broncos: Rising star, breakout player, rebound player, and more

DENVER, CO - DECEMBER 18: Outside linebacker Shane Ray #56 of the Denver Broncos celebrates a sack with defensive end Jared Crick #93 in the third quarter of a game against the New England Patriots at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on December 18, 2016 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - DECEMBER 18: Outside linebacker Shane Ray #56 of the Denver Broncos celebrates a sack with defensive end Jared Crick #93 in the third quarter of a game against the New England Patriots at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on December 18, 2016 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
1 of 7

Which player will be the Denver Broncos’ top breakout player in 2018? Who is a rising star on the team? Who needs to bounce back this season?

EAST LANSING, MI – OCTOBER 29: Jake Butt #88 of the Michigan Wolverines looks to get around the tackle of Chris Frey #23 of the Michigan State Spartans after a third quarter catch at Spartan Stadium on October 29, 2016 in East Lansing, Michigan. Michigan won the game 32-23. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI – OCTOBER 29: Jake Butt #88 of the Michigan Wolverines looks to get around the tackle of Chris Frey #23 of the Michigan State Spartans after a third quarter catch at Spartan Stadium on October 29, 2016 in East Lansing, Michigan. Michigan won the game 32-23. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

There’s not much time left to talk about the Denver Broncos is a hypothetical fashion, as training camp is merely days away.

With that said, let’s take a look at some preseason ‘awards’ for the Broncos from a list floating around on Twitter

Breakout Player: Jake Butt, TE

The Broncos have plenty of ‘breakout’ player candidates with so many young players set to make an impact on this roster in 2018, but one player stands out above the rest:

Jake Butt.

Butt was selected in the fifth round of the 2017 NFL Draft out of Michigan with the hope he would be 100 percent healthy by his second year in the NFL.

As of OTAs, that was the case.

Butt was not only 100 percent healthy, he was balling out and making incredible catches in practice, catching the eyes of his coaches and proving himself worthy of a potential starting role this season.

Butt’s pass-catching ability made him one of the best and most coveted tight end prospects in college football from 2014-16, but an unfortunate ACL tear in his final collegiate game pushed him to the third day of the NFL Draft.

The Broncos were happy to cash in on his draft fall, and Butt is in a great situation this season. He’s got a quarterback who knows how to get the ball to his tight end and an offense motivated to take pressure off of Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders.

Schedule