Experts surprised by Albert Okwuegbunam pick for Broncos
Denver Broncos have made it an emphasis to really load up on the offensive side of the ball surrounding Drew Lock with talent.
With their fourth-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, the Denver Broncos selected Albert Okwuegbunam, a former teammate of Drew Lock at Missouri.
Okwuegbunam is a huge body at tight end that can move. He ran a monster 4.49 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine. The tight end position is now calling into question the long term and short-term future of Jeff Heuerman and Jake Butt. Heuerman has dealt with injuries and the same goes with Butt. The best ability is availability.
Okwuegbunam is a rare breed of size and speed at the tight end position. With his size, Okwuegbunam can improve as a run blocker. The Missouri Tigers’ tight end was Lock’s favorite target when they both were in school. They will be reunited and the feeling will be great.
One thing that is evident right now is Denver is building a team to compete with Kansas City and send shots around the NFL world Lock is their guy. At the end of the day, it makes so much sense to add a bunch of playmakers to an offense that can get fast right away.
After his release and a route runner, Okwuegbunam will need to be better when he is countered. He has that big-bodied frame that he needs to change direction. Okwuegbunam is still a fascinating study because he can be a red-zone threat along with Noah Fant who is exceptionally athletically gifted. Both tight ends will add speed at the position and that seems to be rare right now.
Enough of what I said but what are the experts saying?
My Top 5 TEs (overall rank):
— Gil Brandt (@Gil_Brandt) April 23, 2020
1. Albert Okwuegbunam (39)
2. Cole Kmet (54)
3. Hunter Bryant (84)
4. Colby Parkinson (85)
5. Brycen Hopkins (91)
And Drew Lock gets his favorite target from Mizzou. Wow.
— Andrew Mason (@MaseDenver) April 25, 2020
Albert Okwuegbunam is a Bronco.
I would take Albert Okwuegbunam here at 118 and flip off anyone who doesn't like it if I'm John Elway. lol
— Sayre Bedinger (@SayreBedinger) April 25, 2020
The #Broncos drafted Missouri TE Albert Okwuegbunam. Former teammate of Drew Lock. Okwuegbaunam said right after he was picked Lock was blowing up his phone super fired up. The 2 joked before the draft that it’d be great if Albert landed in Denver. He has. Another weapon for Lock
— James Palmer (@JamesPalmerTV) April 25, 2020
In back-to-back years, the Broncos have drafted the fastest tight end from the Combine:
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) April 25, 2020
2019: Noah Fant at 4.50.
2020: Albert Okwuegbunam at 4.49.
Two athletic freaks.
Broncos' weapons: Courtland Sutton, Jerry Jeudy, K.J. Hamler, Noah Fant, Albert Okwuegbunam, Melvin Gordon III and Phillip Lindsay.
— Tashan Reed (@tashanreed) April 25, 2020
These AFC West offenses, man.
The Denver Broncos are loading up their team with speed upon speed. For Drew Lock, the Broncos have shown tremendous confidence in him that he is their quarterback. Now Denver added his security blanket.