Greg Dulcich leads Broncos breakout candidates in 2023

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.

DL Eyioma Uwazurike

A trio of second-year players make the list with Uwazurike, the 2022 fourth-round draft pick. He was inactive in eight of Denver’s first 10 games as a rookie, but played extensively down the stretch. Now the key is to turn that playing time into a launching pad for 2023. Uwazurike is a massive guy at 6-foot-6 and 320 pounds and must continue to learn how to use that to his advantage without losing the leverage battle. He’ll have plenty of opportunity – snaps after Zach Allen and D.J. Jones should be up for grabs among the Broncos defensive linemen.

OLB Jonathon Cooper

Need may push Cooper further up the Broncos’ depth chart on the edge, even after the club signed Frank Clark near the end of the offseason program. Payton said last month that Baron Browning will start the season on the physically unable to perform list. Randy Gregory has played in more than 12 games once in his career. Nik Bonitto has to prove he’s ready for extensive work as a second-year player. Cooper’s somewhat quietly logged nearly 900 defensive snaps over his first two pro seasons. If he can put more heat on opposing quarterbacks, he’s got a chance to make more noise in Year 3.

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