June 8, 2019

Coming into the NFL there was a lot of hype surrounding Jake Butt. However, a leg injury suffered in the Orange Bowl meant his hype would have to take a seat on the back burner for a season. Coming back in 2018 he only played in three games and had just eight receptions for 85 yards. With tight end friendly Joe Flacco now the starting quarterback in town the future should be bright for Butt. But they aren’t because the Broncos drafted fellow tight end Noah Fant in the first round of the NFL draft. At 6’6 and 250 pounds Jake Butt is a big man. However, at 6’4 and 250 pounds Fant not only has the size but he is also an athletic monster with a first-round price tag. That is a price you don’t spend on a tight end unless you plan on using them right away, and it means Butt is no better than the TE2 on the offense. This means unless there is an injury to Fant in the preseason, Butt is not even in consideration to be drafted for fantasy purposes. Holding him for another season or two in dynasty will be tough as doing so may not pay out either. Overall, there is really not a league format in which Jake Butt is a worthwhile player to roster. It is a shame to see what has happened since his fall from a probable first or second round pick to the fifth round due to injury. He could have been very good and talked about with the young tight ends such as Hunter Henry or O.J. Howard. Unfortunately, with the selection of Noah Fant his time is past, at least until he leaves the Broncos.--Dominick Petrillo - RotoBaller