AUGUST 5, 2022 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM
ALBERT OKWUEGBUNAM JR.
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Could Broncos' TE Albert Okwuegbunam be Expendable on Trade Market? With other tight ends have flourishing in training camp, Albert Okwuegbunam could find himself on shaky ground.
TE Albert Okwuegbunam Addresses his Blocking, Mismatch Abilities Is this Nathaniel Hackett’s solution to the loss of Tim Patrick?
AUGUST 4, 2022 • SACBEE.COM
Should be big part of pass game Okweugbunam and fellow tight end Greg Dulcich (hamstring) could take on a bit more work in the passing game after Broncos wideout Tim Patrick suffered a season-ending knee injury,...
Impact The Broncos still have solid depth at wide receiver, not to mention their RB duo of Javonte Williams and Melvin Gordon, so it's not like Patrick's recent knee tear leaves them hurting for capable playmakers. More relevant for Okwuegbunam is Dulcich's absence from the first week-plus of practice on account of a hamstring injury, thereby reducing the rookie's odds to earn a significant role early in the season. There was chatter earlier this summer about Dulcich making a push for the starting job, and while that may have been misguided or overly optimistic, the rookie does pose some threat to take away snaps in clear passing situations, which would be a major problem for Okwuegbunam's fantasy value. The first week of camp, however, has been a clear win for anyone rooting for an Okweugbunam breakout.
AUGUST 4, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Broncos Camp Notebook: How Albert Okwuegbunam and Greg Dulcich could help replace Tim Patrick The Broncos will naturally need a player or two to step up in Patrick’s absence, and it could fall on the bigger-bodied Sutton, Okwuegbunam...
AUGUST 3, 2022 • DENVERBRONCOS.COM
Albert Okwuegbunam: 'I've come a long way since my rookie year' Tight end Albert Okwuegbunam talks about improving his game, learning Head Coach Nathaniel Hackett's complex offense and his thoughts on the...
AUGUST 3, 2022 • DENVERBRONCOS.COM
Could lose starting role Okwuegbunam shared Broncos' first-team reps with rookie Greg Dulcich (core) during OTAs and faces competition for the No. 1 spot on the depth chart at tight end, Mike Klis of 9News...
Impact Okwuegbunam should have the inside track to remain atop the depth chart at tight end in Denver, but Dulcich's involvement with the starters this offseason could mean the veteran's job is less secure than once thought. Dulcich, chosen in the third round, has promise as a pass catcher, and the coaching staff seems interested in seeing what they have in the UCLA product. The duo had been splitting reps with the first-team offense in OTAs prior to Dulcich missing time with a minor core muscle pull. Third-year veteran Okwuegbunam is likely the favorite to start the year as the No. 1 tight end, but Dulcich's on-field performance could compel the coaching staff to make a switch at some point this season.
JULY 20, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Broncos Camp Questions: How will the Broncos use Albert Okwuegbunam and Greg Dulcich? The Broncos, with either or both of those players on the field, will have an edge. Soon enough, we’ll see how they use it to their advantage...
JULY 15, 2022 • DENVERBRONCOS.COM
TE Albert Okwuegbunam Poised to be Broncos' Breakout Player with Russell Wilson This is the sleeper opponents simply won’t anticipate in 2022.
JULY 3, 2022 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM
2022 fantasy football breakout tight ends: Irv Smith, Albert Okwuegbunam and more We’re wrapping up the 2022 fantasy football breakout series this week with tight ends. As always, we have the Top 5 breakout picks with some...
JUNE 8, 2022 • THEATHLETIC.COM
Broncos Player Profile: Albert Okwuegbunam #85 ' TE Next up is the Broncos’ big mismatch Albert Okwuegbunam.
JUNE 5, 2022 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM
Albert Okwuegbunam Gives Truth on Broncos Drafting TE Greg Dulcich Albert O. spoke out on his new teammate.
MAY 20, 2022 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM
2022 Fantasy Sleepers: Tight Ends If you don’t draft a top-tier tight end, target these three later in your fantasy draft.
MAY 19, 2022 • SI.COM
Faces competition in 2022 With the addition of rookie tight end Greg Dulcich in the third round of the draft, Okwuegbunam may find himself sharing duties at the position in 2022, Jeff Legwold of ESPN.com re...
Impact Though Okwuegbunam's starting tight end position is likely secure at this point, the addition of Dulcich through the draft could certainly cut into the veteran's playing time next season. Okwuegbunam became poised to be the Broncos' starting tight end with the departure of Noah Fant to Seattle as part of the deal to acquire Russell Wilson. Dulcich, however, caught the eye of head coach Nathaniel Hackett as an impact player. "When you have a guy that can stretch the field like he can, it's really exciting," Hackett said of the UCLA product. Regardless of how the tight end pecking order plays out in 2022, the arrival of Wilson at quarterback will likely help to elevate the fantasy production of the entire Denver pass-catching group.
MAY 6, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Albert Okwuegbunam ready for promotion to No. 1 tight end that came with Russell Wilson trade When the Broncos traded for quarterback Russell Wilson on March 8, Albert Okwuegbunam got a promotion — and correspondingly, much higher ind...
APRIL 27, 2022 • DENVERPOST.COM
Darnell Mooney, Albert Okwuegbunam and more pre-NFL draft dynasty league trade targets Jeff Haverlack reveals his favorite players to target in a trade in dynasty leagues ahead of the 2022 NFL Draft.
APRIL 18, 2022 • THEATHLETIC.COM
Albert Okwuegbunam on working with Russell Wilson, being Broncos' top TE: 'I plan to take full advantage' In his first interview since the Broncos traded for Russell Wilson, Albert Okwuegbunam talks about his opportunity to be the starting tight...
APRIL 14, 2022 • DENVERBRONCOS.COM
Noah Fant Previews TE Albert Okwuegbunam's Outlook in Broncos' New-Look Offense From one tight end to another.
APRIL 4, 2022 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM
Poised for larger role With Noah Fant slated to head to the Seahawks in the looming Russell Wilson trade, Okwuegbunam currently profiles as the Broncos' top option at tight end, Nick Kosmider of The Athl...
Impact The 2020 fourth-rounder is coming off a 2021 season in which he hauled in 33 of his 40 targets for 330 yards and two TDs in 14 games. With Fant, who saw 90 targets in 16 contests last year, out of the equation, Okwuegbunam seems poised for an uptick in work this coming season, but Kosmider suggests that the Broncos could bring in some tight end competition via free agency and/or the draft. In any case, the anticipated addition of Wilson does boost the fantasy prospects of the team's skill players, a context that gives Okwuegbunam some sleeper appeal, though to what degree depends on how the team's TE depth chart ultimately shakes out in the coming months.
MARCH 10, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Champion Rams' model for success isn't easy to replicate
Going all-in paid off for the Los Angeles RamsMARCH 9, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Broncos hire Packers OC Nathaniel Hackett as their new coach
The Denver Broncos have agreed to terms with Packers offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett as their head coachJANUARY 27, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
More involved in 2021 Okwuegbunam finished the 2021 season with 33 catches for 330 yards and two touchdowns.
Impact Okwuegbunam operated as the Broncos' No. 2 tight end in 2021, and he saw his role increase in his second year with the team. The 23-year-old played in 14 games this season, a big jump from the four games played in his rookie season. Though Noah Fant is the team's starter at the position, it's clear the team trusted Okwuegbunam to take a step forward based on his usage on 47 percent of Denver's offensive snaps this season. Both Okwuegbunam and Fant are still on their rookie contracts, so both tight ends will likely be with the team in 2022. The former has two more years on his deal, so it would not be surprising to see Okwuegbunam's role grow even more in 2022 with Fant set to become a free agent at the end of next season. The team may want to evaluate what it has in Okwuegbunam even further before determining if it will re-sign Fant in 2023. Nonetheless, the 6-foot-5, 258-pound Okwuegbunam would benefit from an upgrade at quarterback to give the entire passing game a boost for the upcoming season.
JANUARY 15, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Minimal involvement in loss Okwuegbunam caught both of his targets for five yards in Sunday's 34-13 loss to the Chargers.
Impact Operating as the Broncos' No. 2 tight end, Okwuegbunam was just not a big part of the game plan Sunday. The 23-year-old played on 50 percent of the team's offensive snaps, but quarterback Drew Lock looked his way just twice. Meanwhile, starter Noah Fant caught six of his seven targets for 92 yards and a touchdown. Okwuegbunam is a young player with a lot of talent, but he will likely continue to cede the majority of work at tight end in a Week 18 matchup with the Chiefs.
JANUARY 5, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Held catchless in loss Okwuegbunam failed to catch either of his two targets in Sunday's 17-13 loss to the Raiders.
Impact It was a rough day for the Denver passing attack, so it's not surprising that Okwuegbunam, the team's No. 2 tight end, struggled in the contest. The second-year tight end played just 33 percent of the team's offensive snaps, and his two targets were his lowest total since Week 12. Okwuegbunam should remain far off the fantasy radar in a Week 17 matchup with the Chargers.
DECEMBER 29, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Analysis: Omicron looms ominously over NFL's playoff races
The playoff races in the AFC and NFC could come down to little-known fill-ins as more and more stars and starters wind up sidelined by injuries and COVID-19 infectionsDECEMBER 28, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Cleared for Week 16 Okwuegbunam (knee) doesn't carry an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Raiders after practicing fully Friday.
Impact Okwuegbunam was limited Wednesday and Thursday, but his return to a full session Friday sets the stage for him to suit up this weekend. Though he's been working in a timeshare that has tilted in Noah Fant's direction, Okwuegbunam has carved out deeper league utility of late, having caught 11 passes on 13 targets for 120 yards and a TD over his last three games.
DECEMBER 25, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
