Michigan Football: Predicting the 2017 tight end depth chart

Bunting and Gentry will be top TE pass catchers

Wheatley may be the best blocking tight end Michigan football returning, but the best receiver might be Bunting.

Bunting is probably the closest thing to Butt on the roster. He’s 6-7, 250 pounds and when his number was called in the Orange Bowl, he was effective, catching three passes for 40 yards, more yardage than Wheatley had all season.

However, Bunting is not the only big target who should see plenty of targets. Zach Gentry, the former quarterback turned tight end, is another threat that should be utilized this season.

Gentry is 6-6 and he’s a pretty good athlete. He made the move to tight end after his redshirt season, but didn’t see many snaps a year ago.

I was one that thought Gentry was going to find a role in the passing game a year ago, so with Butt gone, that opportunity might finally come.

And while Wheatley will be the starter in name, Bunting could play just as much and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Gentry see some snaps as well, especially if he proves he can hold up as a blocker.