Broncos quarterback Case Keenum has been impressed with first-year tight end Jake Butt, who missed what would have been his rookie season as he recovered from a torn ACL in 2017.

“Jake is a competitor,” Keenum said after practice on June 12. “He wants the ball no matter what and I like that. I like a guy that comes back to the huddle and, ‘Hey, were you open on that play,’ and even if there were three guys on him, he’s like, ‘Yeah, you could’ve fit it in.’

“He wants the ball and I love that. He’s hungry right now for knowledge, for how to run routes, for how to maneuver with leverage and I’m excited for him to continue to keep going.”

Despite not playing last season, Butt has the potential to emerge as the team’s No. 1 tight end this offseason. Denver’s coaching staff has made it no secret that they plan to get the ball in Butt’s hands this season.

“I’m very excited,” coach Vance Joseph said of Butt on June 13. “He works so hard and he’s obviously a playmaker. You watch the guy make plays catching the football. He’s a playmaker, so he’s going to be a great addition to our offense.”

The 6-5, 246-pound tight end should be a weapon in 2018..

“Whether or not it’s the tight end position or outside the numbers in the wide receiver’s spot, he’s got the body control to get open,” offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave said on June 13. “He’s going to be a terrific asset for us.”

As a senior, Butt caught 46 passes for 546 yards and four touchdowns at Michigan in 2016. Butt hauled in 138 receptions for 1,646 yards and 11 scores during his four years with the Wolverines.