Jake Butt finally gets his chance to shine at Broncos training camp

The Broncos have a jam-packed tight end room. They have some really good players with star potential in the NFL, and not many teams are as deep as the Broncos are at the position – if everyone is healthy.

Noah Fant is the starter for the team, and he could be a Pro Bowl-caliber player in 2020. Rookie Albert Okwuegbunam is big, strong and fast – plus he has strong chemistry with quarterback Drew Lock dating back to their days in college at Missouri. Veteran Nick Vannett was signed earlier this year in free agency and is a sound blocker and underrated receiver.

With training camp rolling on, the Broncos had to practice without two of their top tight ends on Wednesday. Fant was sick and Vannett was diagnosed with a concussion.

Broncos head coach Vic Fangio talked about Fant and Vannett missing practice on Wednesday.

“Vannett is in the concussion protocol. He’ll be out for the next few days because of that. Noah was sick today — not COVID sick, normal sick. That’s what he’s got,” Fangio summarized.

With two main tight ends banged up, it has opened the door for Jake Butt to showcase what he can do. Butt has always flashed talent with the Broncos, but he’s barely played in the NFL since he’s dealt with three major ACL injuries. Butt is trying to make yet another comeback in what could be his final opportunity with the Broncos – and maybe in the NFL.

What does he have to do to make the final roster? Let’s take a look.

***

Master this Tight End Friendly System

New offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur has a system that is very tight end friendly. When he was the head coach of the Giants, Shurmur was able to feature star tight end Evan Engram. In the 2017 NFL Draft, Engram was a first-round pick – right where Butt may have gone off the board had he not suffered an ACL injury in the final game of his college career.

Engram had great success as a receiving tight end (F tight end) who was not asked to block that much. Butt is more of a blocker (Y tight end), but can still be a threat as a pass-catcher. On Wednesday, Fangio admitted how tight ends can thrive in Shurmur’s system.

“As friendly as they merit getting the ball thrown to them, they have to get open. There are a lot of things going — their talent, their ability, the rest of the ability around them. If guys are getting extra attention, tight ends can become open. Tight ends in the red zone always can be a good threat. A lot of things going, but we’re not against throwing it to tight ends by any means,” Fangio said.

Butt has talent – always has – and is in the right system to properly show off what he can do. When I’ve been at Broncos practice this year, Butt has looked like he’s a perfect fit for Shurmur’s system.

Jake Butt moving well. Choppy and quick feet. Looks almost like his old self. One pass too high he couldn't get. Maybe old Butt would've gathered that in. Either way, we all should be rooting for the guy. #BroncosCamp @1043TheFan

— Cecil Lammey (@CecilLammey) August 16, 2020

***

Play As Good or Better Than the Rookie

The Broncos found a value pick in the fourth round when they selected Okwuegbunam out of Missouri. Okwuegbunam has a tremendous nose for the end zone in addition to playing big, fast and physical. As a rookie, Okwuegbunam could get on the field when the team is near the end zone even though he’s likely to be the No. 3 tight end on the depth chart.

Fangio is never one to overly praise his players – especially rookies – but he did have some nice things to say about the rookie tight end after practce.

“Albert’s done well. Obviously, he’s got some good receiving abilities. We have to find out what kind of blocker he is. A big part of being a competent blocker is a mentality to want to block. As a tight end, a lot of times when you do block you’re having to block good players. A good bit of that is want to and toughness. We’re trying to figure that out with him to see if he has that part of his game,” Fangio said.

Okwuegbunam is going to be tough to move off that No. 3 spot unless he struggles to impress as a blocker. That’s where Butt can prove that he’s better than the rookie and perhaps that will help him earn a spot with the team.

***

Stay Positive and Stay Healthy

Butt has been through a lot during his pro career. Many people would just give up after facing the type of hurdles and roadblocks that have been obstacles for Butt in the NFL. Instead of giving into negativity, Butt has worked diligently to keep his spirits up despite the long odds he’s now facing. Part of his positive attitude comes from the players around him in the tight end room.

“I really, really enjoy our room this year. We have a talented room and the guys aren’t selfish. Guys genuinely want to see each other succeed. We’re pushing each other and obviously that starts with Noah and trickles on down with all of us. When our numbers are called, we’re out there trying to make plays. We had a couple guys down and others have to step up. As I always say, ‘Competition brings out the best in everybody.’ I think that’s one of the best things we’ve got going for our room,” Butt said.

In addition to staying positive, Butt needs to (obviously) stay healthy.

This is the obvious answer, but after three major knee injuries, one must wonder if Butt is just injury prone. Some doctors will say that being ‘injury prone’ does not exist, but data shows that if you suffer a major injury (like an ACL) then you are more likely to suffer another injury of similar severity.

Being physically healthy is one thing, but many players coming back from injury will tell you that it’s the mental side of recovery that is the toughest to overcome. Butt admits he’s not thinking about the knee.

“When I’m out there, I’m not thinking about it. Now, I feel 100 percent as in I can do everything that I need to do. I know what kind of player I can be. For me, I still have to get used to running around and catching a ball with guys on my hip, catching a ball in traffic, running down field and getting used to that contact. For me, I feel 100 percent. I’m not out there thinking about it, but I’ve got to keep working and keep building on what I’m doing out there,” Butt admitted.

He is a player everyone in Broncos Country should be rooting for. Butt may not make the 53-man roster, but he’s going to try his hardest to not only make the team but make plays if he’s called upon. He’s working hard and he’s not satisfied just yet.

“I’m decently happy with how I’m playing, but I feel like I can continue to play a lot better as I get back used to playing football again,” Butt said.