NFL Draft: Expect more players to skip bowl games

One of the most divisive topics in college football last season surrounded high profile NFL-bound players skipping their bowl games in order to prepare for the upcoming draft.

Translation...players skipping their bowl games to avoid injury prior to the draft. A move that could potentially save them millions of dollars.

Potential high draft picks like running backs Leonard Fournette (LSU) and Christian McCaffrey (Stanford), as well as Michigan's versatile defensive star and Heisman finalist Jabrill Peppers took a beating from the national media for choosing not to play in their respective bowl games.

Pundits called their actions selfish, and accused the players of "quitting" on their teams. Some went as far as to suggest that their actions would have a negative impact on NFL scouts.

Well...as it turns out...all three were taken in the first round of this year's draft. Fournette (4th) and McCaffrey (8th) were selected in the top ten. Peppers was selected 25th overall.

So much for backlash from the pros...but I digress.

On the other side of the coin, you could point to one player in particular to further cement these player's decision to sit out...Michigan tight end Jake Butt.

The four year starter was a two-time collegiate All American, Ozzie Newsome award winner in 2015, and Kwalick-Clark Tight End of the Year in 2016.

Butt, who is a proficient blocker at the line of scrimmage with excellent hands and rout-running skills, was one of the best prospects at his position as Michigan prepared to face Florida State in the Orange Bowl.

Rather than sit out like Peppers, Butt chose to play and was knocked out of the game with a gruesome knee injury. As a result, he was unable to participate at the combine and his team's Pro Day. He was also unable to attend private workouts.

Needless to say...his stock fell faster than a rock out of the sky.

Denver ultimately took a flyer on Butt, selecting him in the fifth round. And while a smart business decision to insure himself recouped some of the money lost by falling, the decision to play in the Orange Bowl still cost the rookie dearly.

Don't think that Butt's story will be lost on next year's draft class...especially the elite prospects.

In fact, if the player isn't participating in the conference title game or College Football Playoffs, then you should expect for his regular season finale to be his collegiate one going forward.

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