Broncos third-round TE Greg Dulcich shines as best player at rookie minicamp

The Broncos held their first day of rookie minicamp on Friday and one player stood out above the rest.

Denver third-round draft pick Greg Dulcich is going to be a stud.

Out of the 36 players on the field (25 rookie / first-year players and 11 tryout players), Dulcich was the best. He’s big and athletic but was also gliding to each football he went and caught. While the other rookie receivers and tight ends looked like they were thinking about catching the ball, Dulcich simply did it in stride each time and seemed ready to be an NFL starter tomorrow.

Most people think Albert Okwuegbunam will be the guy come Week 1, but that’s not a given. When GM George Paton traded away Noah Fant in the Russell Wilson deal, he opened up the possibility a rookie could be Denver’s starting tight end from the jump. Dulcich could be the answer.

Yes, it’s minicamp, and we have a long way to go, but while most of the players on the field looked “fine” on Friday, Dulcich looked special. I’m not saying he’s Rob Gronkowski, but his size, speed, athleticism and ease at which he moved were a treat to watch.

After practice, Dulcich dismissed the notion that he had the best practice debut, instead choosing to focus on the group.

“A lot of guys are stepping up. It’s a really good class, I’m excited to be part of it. A lot of cool guys and a lot of really good football players,” Dulcich said.

In terms of what he was trying to accomplish on Friday, Dulcich did sound like he was trying to catch the eyes of the coaches.

“Really just set a foundation and understand the offense and show that I can be trusted and put in a bunch of different spots,” he said.

For a team without a set starter at tight end, the audition process has begun. That’s not a knock on Albert O, but instead a compliment to Dulcich. The job could be his for the taking if he continues to improve — and the rookie knows there is still plenty to get better at.

“Well, I think there’s a lot to work on. Pass game, showing some more wiggle, and learning how coverages are going to be played in the NFL. It’s going to be a lot different than college. And then run game, too, just being more explosive coming off the ball. As you guys probably saw in the drills today that was a big emphasis for us as tight ends and I think we handled it really well,” Dulcich said.

Coming out of UCLA, one of the knocks on Dulcich is that he’s one-dimensional and simply a pass-catching tight end and not much else. He says that couldn’t be further from the truth and will do whatever needed to prove it.

“I’m going to go and stick my head in the fire and not be afraid of anything. If people got the misconception that I’m only going to go out and run routes that’s totally wrong. I’m going to do it all,” Dulcich said.

That’s the right attitude from the right guy at tight end for the Broncos moving forward. It’s only one practice, but what I saw with my own two eyes on Friday should get Broncos fans really excited.

Dulcich might be Denver’s best tight end since Julius Thomas — with Wilson playing the role of the great Peyton Manning.
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