Sean Payton Shares His 'Joker' Vision For Broncos TE Greg Dulcich

Don't sleep on Greg Dulcich entering the 2023 season with Sean Payton as his head coach.

The Denver Broncos were back at it on Thursday at Centura Health Training Center for another OTA practice. While it's difficult for a new head coach to easily identify the risers and fallers in practice without the pads on, one player seems to be sticking out to Sean Payton. 

So much so, that Payton is already having "Joker" visions dancing in his head. That player would be second-year tight end Greg Dulcich, whose skill set Payton seems to be more than a little excited about. 

“He had a good day," Payton said of Dulcich on Thursday. "He’s got [a] unique skill set, and he’s got traits in the passing game. We use the term ‘Joker’ where we can get matchups. The trick sometimes is trying to predict what you’re going to get defensively, if you’re either going to get a nickel package or a base package. But man, he can run, he’s got good ball skills and he had one of his better practices today. Then you begin to build on that."

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Dulcich is still perhaps swimming somewhat in the assimilation of Payton's playbook. The coaching staff recognizes that, but like a chef in a five-star kitchen, Payton is already brainstorming plays for the Dulcich menu. 

"Right now, there’s an install that’s taking place and the players, they go play those spots," Payton said. "When you get into the season, you really get more specific to who’s running what route. I think his menu is going to be lengthy in the passing game and there’s enough stuff that we can do in the run game."

Payton has a reputation when it comes to extracting production out of the tight end position. From players like Jeremy Shockey, to Jason Witten, and Jimmy Graham, tight ends have traditionally flourished in Payton's scheme, as have quarterbacks, wideouts, and running backs. 

Payton sees a 'Joker' future in Dulcich, which, in the coach's vernacular, means a playmaker who can do things outside the norms of his position. Such a skill set can be used by innovative coaches to think outside the box and put defenses on their heels to devastating effect, especially on third down. 

"I’m not saying this young player [will be just like them]," Payton said of the Shockeys, Wittens, and Grahams, "but he’s got traits that are exciting, and today was one of those days where you begin to have a vision. We worked on third down today. The ‘Joker’ player for us is not a receiver. It’s either a running back or a tight end with exceptional ball skills and then you can work matchups."

Who are some of Payton's former 'Joker' type players? The coach dished on a trio of former 'Jokers' he had with the New Orleans Saints, whom fans will remember as dynamic playmakers that always seemed on the brink of breaking off something explosive. 

"We’ve had that at the running back [position]," Payton said. "Reggie Bush was the ‘Joker,’ Darren Sproles and Alvin Kamara. Those were all unique players, not just in the running game, but they had passing game skill sets that allowed you to do multiple things, and I think Greg does too.”

These are potentially OMG-level comments. When I start getting calls from fantasy football programs around the country in August, asking for a radio hit on the Broncos, when they ask me who the sleeper is in Payton's offense, I'm probably going to say Dulcich. 

Dulcich has speed, he's got great hands, and a surprising short-area quickness for a 6-foot-4, 245-pound tight end. Simply put, he has a propensity for making big plays. 

Last season, Dulcich started off his rookie campaign on ice, recovering from a nagging hamstring injury that claimed much of his first NFL summer. The 2022 third-rounder would go on to appear in 10 games as a rookie, with six starts, catching 33 passes for 411 yards and two touchdowns. 

That was in an offensive scheme that couldn't get out of its own way. Imagining what Dulcich could accomplish in a Payton scheme with an upgraded Russell Wilson distributing the ball, and I shudder to think what numbers the UCLA product could total in Year 2. 

For now, Broncos Country should definitely be on notice. Payton likes him some Dulcich, and he already has a unique vision for the young tight end.

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