7 breakout candidates for the Denver Broncos during 2021 season

Denver Broncos young TE Albert Okwuegbunam. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Denver Broncos young TE Albert Okwuegbunam. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
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Albert Okuwegbunam, Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos tight end Albert Okwuegbunam. Mandatory Credit: Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports

The Denver Broncos have a fun roster from top to bottom, but which players are really poised to break out in the 2021 season? We take a look at seven.

The Denver Broncos have one of the most talented and interesting rosters in the entire NFL heading into the 2021 season. Unlike at the start of the 2020 season, they are healthy to open 2021 and it will be fascinating to see what this team can do with all hands on deck.

Although there are reasonably high expectations for a lot of players on this Denver Broncos roster, which players could be “breakout” candidates in the 2021 season?

One of the fun annual traditions in the NFL content world, breakout players are always great to try and project if your team has a lot of potential candidates.

Let’s take a look through some of the Denver Broncos’ potential breakout players in 2021, and while rookies are certainly eligible for this, I don’t always love to include them. Any high draft pick could be a “breakout” player given the fact that it’s his first season in the league.

I’ll go for some deeper cuts in this post when it comes to rookie inclusions, though it should be noted I have very high expectations for Patrick Surtain II and Javonte Williams.

Denver Broncos: 7 breakout player candidates in 2021

1. Albert Okwuegbunam, tight end

Dating back to the pre-draft process in 2020, I have been extremely high on Albert Okwuegbunam. I think the Broncos sort of wasted time in 2020 with Nick Vannett on the field and that was proven rather quickly upon Okwuegbunam’s insertion into the lineup.

He’s dynamic at the tight end position with outstanding body control, size, speed, catch radius, and natural playmaking ability.

Unfortunately, his promising rookie season was cut short due to injury.

https://twitter.com/Broncos/status/1317885061425844225

https://twitter.com/Broncos/status/1323047637474422784

Even in a limited sample, it was clear that Okwuegbunam was primed for a major role in the Denver Broncos’ offense prior to his season-ending ACL injury, and he looks primed once again for a big role.

With Noah Fant dealing with what the team is calling a “leg” injury, there’s a chance that the new “Ochocinco” could open the 2021 season as the team’s TE1.

That’s certainly not preferred if you’re the Denver Broncos, but Okwuegbunam is an outstanding talent and he would definitely be able to hold his own if he needs to.

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