The Pewter Plank
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Players Buccaneers’ Fans Should Watch for the 2017 NFL Draft

By Brian DeFeo

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Oct 3, 2015; College Park, MD, USA; Michigan Wolverines tight end Jake Butt (88) tackled after his catch by Maryland Terrapins linebacker Jalen Brooks (43) at Byrd Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 3, 2015; College Park, MD, USA; Michigan Wolverines tight end Jake Butt (88) tackled after his catch by Maryland Terrapins linebacker Jalen Brooks (43) at Byrd Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports /

I really wanted to put Leonard Fournette or Dalvin Cook here but I want to see if Doug Martin can do it for another season with Charles Sims and the same offense before I imagine one of these monsters in Tampa.  The lowest prospect on this list Jake Butt is still a phenomenal player. He will be the top tight end in the 2017 draft, and he would have been the top tight end if he came out this year.  However, he wanted to stay in Michigan and win with Harbaugh.  Tight end is not a position of need for the Bucs right now but if Austin Seferian-Jenkins doesn’t progress or gets hurt again it may be time to move on and there would be a hole in the offense.

Next: Are the Bucs Most Improved in the Division?

A projected second round pick right now, he could easily move into the first after another productive season.  As a sophomore, he missed the first two games while recuperating from a torn ACL.  He appeared in 10 games in 2014 and recorded 21 passes for 211 yards and two touchdowns.  As a junior in 2015, Butt had 51 catches for 654 yards (12.8 yds/catch) and three touchdowns.  Following the 2015 season, Butt was named the Kwalick-Clark Tight End of the Year, and named to the All-Big Ten offensive first-team, by both the coaches and media. He was also named a First-Team All-American by Sports Illustrated. 

The season is still months away and I’m starting to get excited for next years draft.

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