The Denver Broncos have not had a dynamic option at the tight end position for several seasons and that is something that Sean Payton wants to remedy if his offense is to become what it once was in New Orleans.
Those Saints teams had Jimmy Graham, Jeremy Shockey and Ben Watson. Payton's Broncos teams have not had anything close to that. In a Payton offense, having a "Joker" on offense is imperative and that is simply a player who has a sizeable athletic advantage over the guys defending him, usually a tight end or running back.
The Broncos re-signed Adam Trautman this offseason, but he provides little more than veteran depth. To get more out of the position, the Broncos need to see Greg Dulcich be able to stay on the field this season. But if he can't, there may be an option already on the team that no one is thinking about.
That would be Lucas Krull.
If you just asked yourself "Who"? don't feel bad, Krull is not necessarily well known. However, he is a player Payton seems to be high on. After going undrafted in 2022, Krull was signed by the Saints but was waived by the team last summer. Payton snapped into action, signing him two days later.
Broncos tight end Lucas Krull turning heads in OTAs
He was brought up to the active roster in mid-December last season and showed some flashes, catching eight passes for 95 yards and a touchdown. During OTAs this week, Payton talked about how he has looked and had very high praise.
Tight end Lucas Krull, seeing more work with Greg Dulcich not practicing, is “looking sharp,” Sean Payton said.
— Andrew Mason (@MaseDenver) May 23, 2024
Payton said he told Dulcich media was looking in their rosters to know who No. 85 was. pic.twitter.com/lytigh72zp
If you are one of those fantasy football managers who likes to grab a player that no one knows much about and reap the rewards when they become a star, this could be the time to do that with Krull.
As for the Broncos, there could certainly be something big in the 6-foot-6 tight end, particularly if Dulcich continues to not pan out as many hope he eventually will.
