Albert Okwuegbunam
Percentage of offensive snaps in 2020: 13.41
Noah Fant is clearly the Broncos’ No. 1 tight end and will be for the foreseeable future, but the rookie Albert Okwuegbunam should definitely be the next guy in line at some point. Nick Vannett and Jake Butt are basically guys who are just there and Okwuegbunam has shown flashes this season.
He has only seen a limited amount of snaps but is currently fifth on the team with nine receptions. Lock also looks quite comfortable throwing the ball to his former college teammate as well.
Okwuegbunam is quicker than he looks, has a good pair of hands and can even stretch the field for the offense. If the Broncos could figure out a way to use he and Fant in unison the way the New England Patriots once did with Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez, they could really have something.
Lock’s development is contingent on having productive pieces around him for which to work with. He’s a good player, but not good enough to make average players superstars. Okquegbunam is a guy he is familiar with and that familiarity could easily lead to success for both men.
Okwuegbunam has been on the field for just 55 offensive snaps this season while the other three tight ends are all well over 100 and Fant over 200. The coaching staff needs to work Albert O in a little more to see what he can do.