Broncos 2022 Training Camp Preview: Tight ends

The Denver Broncos could be in a Super Bowl window in 2022. They have moved on from head coach Vic Fangio and replaced him with an innovative offensive mind in Nathaniel Hackett. Gone is the out-of-date offense of Pat Shurmur, replaced by West Coast concepts and a Shanahan-type system all Broncos fans should be familiar with.
With Fangio’s defense gone, the Broncos went out and got a future head coach in new defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero. We should see a more aggressive Broncos defense, and a better Broncos defense because of better coaching and a better understanding of the modern game.

It’s not just the coaching changes that puts the Broncos in a Super Bowl window, it was the blockbuster trade for a superstar quarterback that general manager George Paton was able to execute. Paton traded with the Seattle Seahawks to secure the services of Russell Wilson. With Wilson under center, the Broncos offense should be one of the best in the league. With a high-powered offense led by Wilson, the defense will be playing with a lead – which means they’ll be able to get after the opposing quarterback in ways we haven’t seen since the team won Super Bowl 50.

This is the second year under the guidance of Paton, and the team has done a good job of adding quality players via free agency and the NFL Draft – even though they didn’t have a first-round pick due to the Wilson trade. However, there are questions that need answers before the start of the regular season. In this series at DenverFan.com, we will go through each position group searching for those answers during training camp.

This is the latest part in our Training Camp Preview. Today, we’ll take a deep dive into the tight end position.

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Starter: Albert Okwuegbunam

I believe Albert Okwuegbunam begins the regular season as the starting tight end for the Broncos, but I don’t know if he finishes the season with that title. Okwuegbunam was a favorite of former quarterback Drew Lock because of their playing days together in college at Missouri. He has certainly flashed as a receiving threat – especially in the red zone – but Okwuegbunam does not stay healthy enough to stay on the field.

Over the last two seasons, Okwuegbunam has started only six games and has appeared in 18 games for the Broncos. He’s big, he’s strong and he’s got build-up speed, but Okwuegbunam is as oft-injured as others who just don’t play up to their potential. He’s got a leg up in the competition because of his pro experience and talent as a tight end receiver.

Okwuegbunam has made some plays for quarterback Russell Wilson in mandatory minicamp. He has dropped some passes too, but the big-bodied tight end is showing that he can be a mismatch due to his athletic profile. Those plays will continue into training camp and the preseason, so therefore I think Okwuegbunam is the starter…for now.

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Reserves: Greg Dulcich, Eric Saubert, Eric Tomlinson, Dylan Parham, Rodney Williams

The Broncos got a great receiving threat when they selected Greg Dulcich in the third round. He may not have been the best tight end in this class, I think that was CSU’s Trey McBride, but I could easily make the argument that Dulcich was the best receiver out of this group of tight ends available in the 2022 NFL draft. Dulcich is a pure receiver with strong hands and good concentration when running routes over the middle. He’s got a big frame, so Dulcich can absorb contact and keep his feet. His large frame also makes him an attractive target in the red zone where he can box out smaller defenders.

Oh yeah, Dulcich is fast – I mean really fast. Speed is the best part of his game, and he can easily be what scouts call a “seam ripper” for the Broncos as a rookie. It does take tight ends some time to get up to speed in the pro game, so that could keep the numbers down for Dulcich. However, I do expect him to take over as the starter as soon as he can.

Some tight ends are receivers, some tight ends are blockers, and some tight ends are both. Eric Tomlinson is more of a blocking tight end than he is a receiver, but he can do that one job well for the Broncos. He’s caught two passes over the last three seasons, so his role is going to be clearly defined. Pro Football Focus ranked Tomlinson as the second best blocking tight end in the NFL last season as he appeared in all 17 games for the Ravens. Blocking and special teams are where he’s going to make his impact for the Broncos in 2022. Tomlinson’s blocking will make up for what Okwuegbunam and Dulcich lack in that department.

I’m glad the Broncos kept Eric Saubert around to compete for a spot on the roster. I’m not sure he makes the final roster, but I hope the team finds a way to keep him for another season. Sure, he only caught eight passes for 47 yards and the first touchdown of his career, but Saubert has the versatility this team needs. He’s mostly been a blocker and not relied on much as a receiver, but the talent is there for him to do more if necessary. Saubert isn’t a devastating blocker, but his skill and effort are better than what Okwuegbunam does currently.

Again, Saubert may not make this team, but I hope he does because he’s the type of grinder that every team wants on their roster. He’ll do the dirty work, and he’ll show up with his lunch pail mentality every day.
The Broncos found another talented undrafted free agent when they signed Dylan Parham. Parham arrived at NC State as a quarterback but switched to tight end before the 2017 season. He put on almost 60 pounds of muscle during his time with the Wolfpack and wasn’t asked to catch a lot of passes. Instead, Parham was a fierce blocker who helped spring running backs on the edge. He’s underrated as a receiver (only 12 catches in college), but it’s his blocking ability that is coveted by the Broncos. Parham could be a blocking tight end of the future for the Broncos, but that means he’s likely bound for the practice squad this season if training camp and the preseason go well for him.

Rodney Williams grew up emulating Shannon Sharpe, and he played wide receiver during his time with the Skyhawks in college before transitioning to tight end in 2020. During his time at Tennessee-Martin, Williams did a good job of showcasing receiving talent at his new position. He does a good job of finding open spots in the zone and has some moves before and after the catch. We’ll see him land on the practice squad if he impresses during training camp.

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Summary

There was a misconception when Wilson was acquired that he did not use the tight end that much – even when the Seahawks allowed him to pass more often. That was untrue when taking a look at the season long statistics for the entire position. Yes, a single tight end didn’t tear up the league with Wilson tossing him the rock but that has more to do with injuries at the position than it does Wilson avoiding the position. When looking at tight end usage overall, Wilson goes to the position quite often overall. That means some player from this position could be an important part of what the team does in the passing game.

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