Jake Butt is 50/50 on NFL

Submitted by dnak438 on

Jake Butt expects to decide his NFL future in the next week or so. Says he's 50/50. Needs to get Harbaugh's input.

— Adam Schnepp (@aeschnepp) December 7, 2015

 

Butt says been hearing he'd be top 3 rounds which is why considering NFL. If he hears he's not he's definitely coming back

— angelique (@chengelis) December 7, 2015
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PowerEye

December 7th, 2015 at 2:36 PM ^

If an extra year could get Butt into the 2nd Round (as opposed to the 3rd), it is probably worth it. Salaries of picks in rounds 1-2 are more likely to get guaranteed money, while usually this isn't the case for 3rd rounders.

Also, there is the "25% Increase Rule" in the CBA, which ties the value of your 2nd contract to what you got in your rookie contract.

It makes sense to think that if Butt gets stronger and improves his inline blocking, he could elevate his status into a legit 2nd rounder, and doing that would be worth big bucks and far more security.

Here's a link to some useful comments from Forbes on the Rookie Salary Scale

What pro TE compares most to Butt? He reminds me of Heath Miller, who is a fine pass catcher without top end speed, who became a great blocker.

Joined: 10/12/2015

MGoPoints: 217

alum96

December 7th, 2015 at 2:39 PM ^

He can learn all those things in the NFL when he doesnt need to spend an hour going to school. 

Its a lot like the Nik S argument - Nik was not going to get better athletically by staying at UM another year - he is what he is and he could improve just the same if not easier without worrying about school.  His limitations were going to be the same a year later - I think most of Butt's will as well.

Joined: 04/28/2012

MGoPoints: 82551

WolvinLA2

December 7th, 2015 at 1:42 PM ^

Are you of the opinion that all white people are the same speed? I am white, and I am both faster and slower than other white men.

Joined: 11/13/2009

MGoPoints: 58191

Tedbossman

December 7th, 2015 at 1:58 PM ^

Will probably run in the 4.8s. He wins with great routes and making tough catches. If you look at his catches from this season they are almost all in traffic b/c he struggles to seperate. But he has a huge catch radius and good hands so if his QB puts it in a place where only he can get it, he can often make a play. But yea, it's just cause he white.

Joined: 01/07/2014

MGoPoints: 1909

wahooverine

December 7th, 2015 at 2:43 PM ^

If you're only goingto compare to him white guys, I think the point he was making is that he is more of the Heath Miller, Jason Witten mold than a Tyler Eifert of Greg Olson or Jimmy Graham mold. (I know I'm stretching that with Graham but you get the point).

Joined: 11/14/2011

MGoPoints: 6799

Magnus

December 7th, 2015 at 2:51 PM ^

No, I'm not saying he's not athletic due to race. I say what I mean. A.J. Williams is black, and he's also not athletic (though Butt is more athletic than him). Butt does not have great speed or lateral quickness, he does not break tackles, etc. He does do a good job of high-pointing the ball, but that's about it when talking about plus ability in the "athlete" department.

Joined: 07/17/2008

MGoPoints: 166009

SirJack II

December 7th, 2015 at 3:49 PM ^

He may not be the most athletic guy, but he's a tactical genius. He's like a philospher walking around out there. And what he doesn't have in freakish athletic abilities he makes up for with good old American grit.

Joined: 11/15/2011

MGoPoints: 3066

LJ

December 7th, 2015 at 1:42 PM ^

Whew.  I read like 20 measured, reasonable responses in a row and was starting to be like, "am I on MGoBlog?"  Have I slipped into an alternate reality?  Where is the hyperbolic overreaction?"

Thanks for snapping things back into place.

Joined: 07/05/2008

MGoPoints: 18306

FreddieMercuryHayes

December 7th, 2015 at 1:28 PM ^

If he's willing to take just first 3 rounds...then yeah, he should probably go.  He'll get that after this year.  If he wants to make a push for the 1st round, he should stay.  He talked very openly about this apparently today and his thought process.  Another season of Harbaugh could definitely get him the first round.  But it is a risk.  I'm starting ot get the feeling he leaves now.

Joined: 12/29/2010

MGoPoints: 40883

alum96

December 7th, 2015 at 1:28 PM ^

Would be tough to come back with his grade but Calhoun and Cook did.  But that's not the normal situation for sure.  I am seeing him 2nd round in most mocks nowadays.  Considering TEs are not usually taken in the top 15 overall unless the Lions are drafting that's a pretty high place to be drafted for the position.

Joined: 04/28/2012

MGoPoints: 82551

djmagic

December 7th, 2015 at 1:29 PM ^

I hope he comes back.   It'd be great to see what he can do with another year in the system.
Not to mention, it's got to be at least somewhat enticing to him knowing that he'd essentially be the #1 pass-catching option next year.    Then again, NFL game checks are pretty enticing too...   best of luck to him either way!

Joined: 09/06/2010

MGoPoints: 2348

Magnus

December 7th, 2015 at 1:35 PM ^

I'm not worried about this, because I think Michigan will be just fine at TE, regardless. I mean, Butt is the best of the bunch, but we have a good crew already. I think other guys can fill that role, and we also should have two good wideouts returning (Darboh, Chesson). Sprinkle in Khalid Hill, Ian Bunting, (hopefully but not likely) Isaac Nauta, and it's not a position that concerns me a great deal.

Joined: 07/17/2008

MGoPoints: 166009

petered0518

December 7th, 2015 at 1:48 PM ^

I don't understand this sentiment at all. Who has shown the ability to stretch the defense from the tight end spot outside of Jake? We have a few maybes (Bunting, Wheatley, not really Hill since he is more of a pure H back imo), but that is purely conjecture as we have almost nothing to go on for those players. Personally I don't think anyone currently on the roster can replicate Jake's role in the offense.

Joined: 08/05/2009

MGoPoints: 902

petered0518

December 7th, 2015 at 2:28 PM ^

Stretching the defense is about more than speed. Butt's combination of size and catching ability make for a lot of bad matchups with safeties and linebackers.

I mean, I am not doom and gloom about this. We will indeed be fine without him. I just think we need to be honest that losing Jake would definitely be a hit to our offense.

Joined: 08/05/2009

MGoPoints: 902

Zoltanrules

December 7th, 2015 at 1:35 PM ^

You would be surprised at some of the names "considering" the NFL draft vs staying. I guess it is his due diligence. Just not sure he has an NFL frame yet to be a top 50 pick. 3rd rounder would be about right imho. Good luck to him whatever he decides.

Joined: 08/23/2009

MGoPoints: 21262