Albert Okwuegbunam Jr. - Page 4 - NFL News, Rumors, & Updates

Catches one pass in win Okwuegbunam caught one of two targets for 12 yards in Sunday's 11-10 win over the 49ers.

Impact Okwuegbunam continued his disappointing start to the 2022 season, seeing just two targets for the second straight week. What's more concerning is that the 24-year-old played on just 24 of the Broncos' 74 offensive snaps, 11 fewer than fellow tight ends Eric Saubert and Eric Tomlinson. Fantasy managers hoping for Okwuegbunam to take a major step forward this season will have to take a wait-and-see approach as Denver works to repair an offense that has been disjointed through three weeks. Until then, the 6-foot-5, 258-pounder will be extremely difficult to trust for fantasy purposes when the Broncos visit the Raiders in Week 4.

SEPTEMBER 28, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Russell Wilson shows Broncos he still has it in crunch time

Russell Wilson finally looked like Russell Wilson on Denver's 12th drive Sunday night against the San Francisco 49ers

SEPTEMBER 26, 2022 • Associated Press

Held catchless in win Okwuegbunam was targeted twice, but failed to record a catch in Sunday's 16-9 win over the Texans.

Impact Okwuegbunam was a non-factor in the contest on a day when Russell Wilson completed just 14 total passes and the team only managed to score 16 points. The 24-year-old had an opportunity to become more involved when Jerry Jeudy exited the game with a rib injury, but the Broncos offense could not get much going. The lone touchdown of the day came in the fourth quarter when Russell Wilson hooked up with tight end Eric Saubert on a 22-yard score. Fantasy managers hoping that Okwuegbunam could make a big leap this year should exercise caution while Denver's offense finds its groove. The 6-foot-5, 258-pounder will look to get more involved in Week 3 when the Broncos host the 49ers.

SEPTEMBER 19, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Albert Okwuegbunam's second effort on third-down reception just enough to move chains for Broncos Denver Broncos tight end Albert Okwuegbunam's second effort on a third-down reception is just enough to move the chains for the Broncos.

SEPTEMBER 13, 2022 • NFL.COM

Albert Okwuegbunam is stopped just short of goal line following Russell Wilson's dart Denver Broncos tight end Albert Okwuegbunam is stopped just short of the goal line following quarterback Russell Wilson's dart.

SEPTEMBER 13, 2022 • NFL.COM

Nathaniel Hackett: TE Albert Okwuegbunam is 'A Guy Who Needs Some Reps' The Broncos are trying to break in tight end Albert Okwuegbunam.

AUGUST 22, 2022 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM

Concerning preseason usage Okwuegbunam played the entirety of Denver's preseason game against Buffalo on Saturday, logging four catches for 32 yards on five targets.

Impact Coach Nathaniel Hackett said afterward that Okwuegbunam "needs reps," indicating some sort of dissatisfaction. By all accounts Okwuegbunam has made big plays consistently in Broncos training camp, so it's not clear why Hackett is playing mind games or what end he thinks he's working toward, but just as any other time he's ever played Okwuegbunam drew usage and played well against the Bills. It would be odd for Hackett to antagonize what might be his best big-play threat on offense, but for now that appears to be the situation.

AUGUST 20, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Brett Rypien finds Albert Okwuegbunam for 26-yard catch | Broncos at Bills Wide receiver Albert Okwuegbunam makes incredible bobbling catch for 26-yard gain during the Broncos' preseason game against the Bills.

AUGUST 20, 2022 • DENVERBRONCOS.COM

No targets in preseason opener Okwuegbunam did not log a target during the Broncos' 17-7 preseason win over the Cowboys on Saturday night.

Impact The projected top tight end did start the game but didn't make a mark on the stat sheet. However, there's no active threat to Okwuegbunam's status as the No. 1 option at his position to open the season, and he could certainly see some targets in next Saturday night's road preseason clash against the Bills if the Broncos treat the game as a dress rehearsal and Russell Wilson plays at least a couple of series.

AUGUST 14, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Russell Wilson Praises Broncos' TE Albert Okwuegbunam After Impressive Scrimmage Denver’s new franchise quarterback couldn’t help but talk about Albert Okwuegbunam after Thursday’s joint practice with Dallas.

AUGUST 13, 2022 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM

Seeing targets from Russell Wilson Okwuegbunam has been a popular target of quarterback Russell Wilson during training camp, with head coach Nathaniel Hackett noting Tuesday that the tight end has become more comfor...

Impact Rookie third-round pick Greg Dulcich received plenty of hype during the offseason program, but he's been quieter at training camp after missing the first week with a hamstring injury. Hackett said Okwuegbunam has been "absolutely splendid" this summer, noting that the Broncos have "been putting him all over the place" and are pleased with his progress as a blocker. That last part doesn't profile as a strength for either Okwuegbunam or Dulcich, but the third-year pro at least has a size advantage at 6-foot-5 and 258 pounds, compared to the rookie's 6-foot-4, 245-pound measurements.

AUGUST 10, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Nathaniel Hackett: '[Albert Okwuegbunam]'s been absolutely splendid going out there right now' Head Coach Nathaniel Hackett talked about his impression of the tight ends, the new ownership group and Russell Wilson's two-minute drills.

AUGUST 9, 2022 • DENVERBRONCOS.COM

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.

AUGUST 5, 2022 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM

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

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Russell Wilson shows Broncos he still has it in crunch time