Greg Dulcich leads Broncos breakout candidates in 2023

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TDP L BRONCOS TITANS

Denver’s veteran players report to training camp Tuesday, and the first of 12 open practices is Friday.

The roster will be sliced and diced and analyzed in all sorts of ways between now and the cutdown from 90 players to 53 on Aug. 29.

Today, a look at five breakout candidates for the Broncos in 2023.

TE Greg Dulcich

The second-year tight end apparently makes quick impressions. He had Russell Wilson sold after only a couple of throws a year ago. Similar for coach Nathaniel Hackett. After a big day during OTAs, new head man Sean Payton said of Dulcich, “Today was one of those days where you begin to have a vision.” Payton thinks the former UCLA standout will have a big menu in the passing game. He’s a true matchup issue for opposing defenses. If he puts multiple hamstring issues from 2022 in the rearview mirror and adds another notch to his blocking ability, Dulcich is in line for a big fall.

CB Damarri Mathis

The breakout may have already started for Mathis down the stretch in 2022. He was thrust into the starting lineup after Ronald Darby tore his ACL, then pegged for four pass interference flags in his first start. After that, Mathis just kept getting better and better. He’ll be targeted frequently playing opposite All-Pro Pat Surtain II, but Mathis has the right demeanor to handle the job. Combine that with his physical traits and continuity — Surtain, safeties Justin Simmons and Kareem Jackson and defensive backs coach Christian Parker — and Mathis has a chance to turn some heads around the league.

S Caden Sterns

It’s all about health for the third-year man out of Texas. He filled in admirably for Simmons early last year when the veteran missed four games with a quad injury. In fact, Sterns played so well it was easy to envision the Broncos defensive staff finding more ways to get him involved. He was already nursing a hip injury, though, and as soon as Simmons returned, Sterns hit injured reserve and missed the rest of the year. Denver brought Jackson back for a fourth straight year, but if Sterns stays healthy and has a productive camp, he could win a job and at the least can take a big step forward in his career.

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