Big Blue View
Hamstring injuries have derailed former Denver third-round pick
As we wind our way through the offseason awaiting the beginning of New York Giants training camp in late July, let’s look at a few intriguing players who seem like underdogs in the competition for spots on the season-opening 53-man roster.
One of those is tight end Greg Dulcich.
The top four tight ends on the Giants’ 90-man roster are Theo Johnson, Chris Manhertz, Daniel Bellinger, and seventh-round pick Thomas Fidone II. It seems difficult enough to find spots for all four of those players if all are healthy, and in my post-draft 53-man roster projection I had the Giants trying to sneak Fidone to the practice squad.
Dulcich is pretty clearly TE5 as things currently stand, which means he would only make the roster if there are injuries or surprising roster moves with players like Bellinger or Manhertz.
The fact that it appears Dulcich will be on the outside looking in when it comes to constructing the roster does not mean the 2022 third-round pick by the Denver Broncos does not have something to offer.
Here is part of a pre-2022 draft scouting report on Dulcich:
Dulcich has the upside to be a three-down Y tight end in the NFL. He does not have to be hidden when asked to block from an in-line position, but he will still need to improve to hold up down after down in the pros. His athleticism will allow him to be split out and be a viable option on routes at all three levels, with his speed threatening defenses unexpectedly.
Dulcich is not just a bundle of traits. He already does enough “real” things at the position that should enable him to contribute right away as a No. 2 F tight end and special teams player. He could ascend into a good starting tight end who can play every down with the right situation and continued growth.
There are athletic traits to like:
Dulcich, a little bit like Johnson with the Giants in 2024, had a promising rookie season that was cut short by injury. He caught 33 passes for 411 yards and 2 touchdowns in 10 games, missing the final seven with a right hamstring injury.
That same troublesome hamstring held him back in 2023 as he injured in twice and played in only two games.
The Broncos waived him late November last season after Dulcich had been inactive for eight straight games, and the Giants claimed him.
When Dulcich was waived by Denver, Predominantly Orange wrote that Dulich “hasn’t been the same player” since the leg injuries began in 2022.
If he can stay healthy, perhaps the 25-year-old Dulcich still has some pass-catching upside.
