There’s been some indications in Denver that it might be Greg Dulcich, rather than Albert Okwuegbunam, who’s the team’s leading tight end. The Broncos picked Dulcich in the third round, and he’s definitely more of a pass catcher than a blocker.

Dulcich isn’t very big. He’s 6-foot-4 and weighed 243 pounds at the combine. That’s less than ideal for playing as an in-line tight end. But the Broncos drafted him more with an eye on what he can do as a receiver.

Dulcich was a receiving weapon at UCLA. Not so much in volume (just 42 catches last year), but in creating impact plays. He averaged 18.3 yards per catch in his final two seasons, with 10 TDs.

Dulcich and Okwuegbunam were splitting the first-team reps at the team’s offseason minicamp. The rookie opened camp on the PUP list, but he’s been activated now. Once the real games start, they may both have roles.

For fantasy purposes, I’m not excited about either right now. Russell Wilson doesn’t have a strong history with tight ends, and the Broncos are well stocked with capable wide receivers.

And history tells us that it’s rare for a tight end drafted in the third round to make much of an impact in his first year. In the 32-team era, 49 tight ends have been selected with third-round picks, and only 12 of those guys went on to be the most productive tight end on their team.

Of those 49, only finished with top-20 numbers (PPR scoring) in their first year, and none of those guys ranked higher than 12th. So if you’re throwing a late-round pick at Dulcich, it should be with the hope he might be the odds and serve as a decent second tight end. Unless something of note happens in the preseason, I will be leaving him undrafted. (Decision making would be slightly different in a dynasty format, where you might talk yourself into selecting Dulcich as a project who might develop into something viable in 2023.)

In the chart below, players tagged with black dots are the ones who were at least the best tight end on their own team.

THIRD-ROUND TIGHT ENDS (first yr numbers)
YearPlayerGRecYdsTDPPRRk
2002• Matt Schobel, Cin.1627212260.230
2002Chris Baker, NYJ1221403.482
2003• Jason Witten, Dall.1535347175.720
2003Visanthe Shiancoe, NYG161056227.650
2003Mike Seidman, Car.1253508.577
2004• Chris Cooley, Was.16373146104.412
2004Ben Hartsock, Ind.1643307.387
2005• Alex Smith, T.B.1641367289.719
2005Kevin Everett, Buff.0000.0---
2006Leonard Pope, Ariz.1616161032.149
2006Dominique Byrd, St.L.5239111.970
2006Dave Thomas, N.E.0000.0---
2007Matt Spaeth, Pitt.14534326.455
2008Jermichael Finley, G.B.14674119.461
2008Brad Cottam, K.C.16763013.372
2008Craig Stevens, Ten.161901.998
2009Jared Cook, Ten.14974016.470
2009Travis Beckum, NYG15855013.572
2009Chase Coffman, Cin.0000.0---
2010• Tony Moeaki, K.C.15475563120.617
2010Jimmy Graham, N.O.1531356596.927
2010Ed Dickson, Balt.1511152132.253
2011Rob Housler, Ariz.1212133025.355
2012• Dwayne Allen, Ind.16455213115.625
2012Michael Egnew, Mia.0000.0---
2013• Jordan Reed, Was.9454993114.722
2013Travis Kelce, K.C.0000.0---
2014Richard Rodgers, G.B.1620225254.543
2014Crockett Gillmore, Balt.1510121128.158
2014C.J. Fiedorowicz, Hou.15428112.880
2015• Clive Walford, Oak.1628329378.931
2015Tyler Kroft, Cin.1611129129.959
2015Jeff Heuerman, Den.0000.0---
2016• Austin Hooper, Atl.1419271364.138
2016Nick Vannett, Sea.933206.294
2017Jonnu Smith, Ten.1618157245.747
2018• Mark Andrews, Balt.16345523107.217
2018Jordan Akins, Hou.1617225039.553
2019• Dawson Knox, Buff.1528388279.732
2019Josh Oliver, Jac.431504.599
2019Jace Sternberger, G.B.6000.0---
2019Kahale Warring, Hou.0000.0---
2020Adam Trautman, N.O.1515171138.157
2020Devin Asiasi, N.E.9239111.981
2020Dalton Keene, N.E.631604.699
2020Josiah Deguara, G.B.211202.2107
2021• Tommy Tremble, Car.1620180253.145
2021Hunter Long, Mia.71801.8113
2021Tre McKitty, LAC11645010.5---
2022Greg Dulcich, Den.??????
2022Jelani Woods, Ind.??????
2022Jeremy Ruckert, NYJ??????

—Ian Allan