Michigan football: Jake Butt collects insurance money as he falls in NFL draft
By Matt Snyder
Michigan football player Jake Butt has fallen out of the first three rounds of the NFL Draft, but his insurance policy could help make up for the slide.
Michigan football player Jake Butt injured his knee in the Orange Bowl loss to Florida State. He had surgery to repair the torn ACL back in January, but the injury could be scaring off potential NFL suitors.
Butt was projected by some to be selected in the second or third round, but he’s still available as we enter the fourth round on day three of the draft.
It’s not devastating news for Butt, however, as he made plans to protect himself against such a slide. According to Adam Schefter and Darren Rovell of ESPN, Butt took out an insurance policy that pays him for every slot he falls.
Michigan TE Jake Butt has insurance policy and gets $10,000 every pick not picked, per @darrenrovell; has collected about $150,000 so far.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 29, 2017
107 players have been selected, so the $150,000 figure suggests that the deal between Butt and the insurer began to pay out around pick 92. According to Rovell, the insurance policy carried a $250,000 premium. If that’s the case, Butt will break even after about 10 more picks.
As a tight end, Butt’s talent lies in pass catching rather than blocking, but he has the skills to be a playmaking receiver in the NFL if the knee injury doesn’t cause problems for him down the road.
The Detroit Lions could use a tight end and own picks number 124 and 127 overall in the fourth round. Might they take a look at Butt if he’s still on the board?
Next: Lions: Bob Quinn talks day two picks
Six Michigan Wolverines have already been selected in the 2017 NFL Draft with five or more players expected to be taken on the third and final day of the draft.