Second-Year Scouting Report: Greg Dulcich

June is underway, and we’re getting closer and closer to the 2023 regular season. Best ball leagues have been drafting for months now, and they are getting more popular now that we understand landing spots for veteran free agents and rookies. 

Every year, rookie fever emerges, and the previous class gets pushed aside by the shiny new NFL toys. This usually results in a rookie surge of ADP, which opens up pockets of value, especially with players from the previous class who may not be as established as some long-time veterans in the league. This happens even though most fantasy analysts (and players) understand the largest leap occurs from Year 1 to Year 2. Throughout the summer, FTN will be releasing second-year scouting reports to keep these players fresh in fantasy managers’ minds. We continue our second-year scouting report series today with Broncos’ tight end Greg Dulcich  and his outlook in 2023 and beyond. 

Greg Dulcich, TE, Denver Broncos

The Broncos traded their former first-round tight end Noah Fant in the package to acquire Russell Wilson and found a new starter in the 2022 NFL Draft by selecting Greg Dulcich out of UCLA at pick No. 80. Dulcich posted career-high marks in his last season with the Bruins, catching 42 passes for 725 yards and five touchdowns. His pass-catching prowess carried over exceptionally to the NFL and won him the starting tight end role.

What Went Right?

Dulcich hit the ground running in his Week 6 debut, scoring the first touchdown of the game to go along with two receptions and 44 receiving yards. Dulcich was one of the most consistent players at the position, finishing as a TE1 in 60% of his games (six of 10 games). He averaged 41.1 receiving yards per game last season, ninth among all tight ends, and 43.63 receiving yards in games started by Russell Wilson.

What Went Wrong

Dulcich struggled with health, missing the first five games with a preseason hamstring injury. His season ended the way it started, missing the final two games in Weeks 17 and 18. Dulcich scored just twice in 10 games (though that did tie for second on the Broncos). Scoring opportunities were hard to come by playing for a Broncos’ team that averaged just 16.9 points per game, dead last in the NFL.

Prognosis Entering 2023

Greg Dulcich has all the makings of a breakout tight end profile entering what should be a much-improved offense under new head coach Sean Payton. Payton has already spoken growly about this offseason, calling him a “Joker,” a player who can provide mismatches all over the field. In 15 seasons as the head coach for the Saints, Payton’s offense ranked top five in points per game nine times and finished top-10 in offensive yards 12 times. A competent playcaller in 2023 should elevate the entire offense and should provide a lot more scoring opportunities for Dulcich in year 2.

Dynasty Outlook

There are few separators at the tight end position, and Dulcich has as good of a shot as any to provide stable production for multiple years. At 23 years old, there is still a lot of untapped upside in Dulcich’s profile, tied to a likely future hall of quarterback and head coach. He faces little competition for targets outside of Jerry Jeudy and looks like to be a focal point for Denver’s aerial attack. Despite posting a strong rookie season in a limited sample, tight ends tend to get better as they age.