The Broncos addressed another need in Friday’s NFL draft, using the 80th pick to select UCLA tight end Greg Dulcich.
The Broncos traded No. 75 to Houston for No. 80 (third round) tonight and No. 162 (fifth round) on Saturday. Houston used the pick to select Alabama inside linebacker Christian Harris.
Dulcich, 22, declared for the draft after his fourth-year junior season for the Bruins.
Listed at 6-foot-4 and 248 pounds, Dulcich caught 42 passes for 725 yards and five touchdowns for UCLA last year. He was second on the Bruins in catches and yards and was first-team All-Pac 12.
“From my film, you can tell I’m a dynamic pass-catcher and I’m a guy that will make big-time plays and in the run game as well, I’m a guy we can run the ball toward my side,” Dulcich said. “There’s going to be a lot to learn, obviously, at the next level but I’m excited to get my foot in the door.”
Of playing with new quarterback Russell Wilson, Dulcich said: “We’re going to win some Super Bowls and I’m excited about that. We’re going to be such a successful team. I can’t wait to get there and get to work with him.”
Dulcich’s 17.3-yard-per-catch average was third nationally among tight ends.
Tight end was a need for the Broncos, who entered the draft with only Albert Okwuegbunam, Eric Tomlinson and Shaun Beyer under contract.
In 37 career games, Dulcich caught 77 passes for 1,353 yards and 11 touchdowns.
TE Greg Dulcich
Round/pick: 3rd, No. 80 (pick from Texans after trading down from No. 75 overall)
DZ:UCLA
:22
/ɱ:6-4, 250
dzٴǷɲ:Glendale, Calif.
Notable: Dulcich (pronounced dull-sitch) started five games in 2020 and then all 12 games last year while becoming a semifinalist for the John Mackey Award as the nation’s top tight end. He averaged 17.3 yards per catch, evidence that he’s a vertical threat with a wide catch radius, but he still has a ways to go as a blocker. With Noah Fant traded to Seattle and Albert Okwuegbunam now the No. 1 tight end, Dulcich projects as the team’s No. 2 tight end who can add flexibility in the pass and run game.
