Albert Okwuegbunam is a tight end for the Denver Broncos. He grew up in Springfield, Illinois, where he starred at wide receiver for Sacred Heart-Griffin High School. Following high school, he took his talents across the river to the University of Missouri. The 2017 season was a tame campaign for the sophomore. He finished fourth on the team with 29 receptions and 415 receiving yards. He also led the team with 11 touchdowns, cementing a 19.4 breakout age
In his junior season, Albert Okwuegbunam finished as the team’s second leading receiver, but still couldn’t compile impressive production. He needed a big senior season to push up his draft stock. With Kelly Bryant now at quarterback for the Tigers, that season was not going to come. Okwuegbunam barely cleared 25 receptions and 300 receiving yards in 9 games, a sour note on which to enter the NFL draft.
The 2020 NFL combine was where he found his saving grace, blowing minds with a 4.49 second 40 time. Combine that pure speed with a 6-6, 258-pound, and 34 ⅛ inch wingspan, and you have a 100th percentile size-speed specimen. The analytical puzzle pieces began to assemble for Okuegbnam, making up for his lackluster college stats. He was drafted in the fourth round and signed a contract to play with college quarterback, Drew Lock. He didn’t see much work his opening season, finishing with 51 routes run on a 31.2-percent snap share. He did, however, earn a spectacular 29.4-percent target rate.
Earning significantly more playing time this season, he managed to maintain that level of snap-based opportunity. He also flashed efficiency, chalking up a 1.9 fantasy points per target and ranking highly among tight ends in key next gen stats. All Okwuegbunam needs is an expanded opportunity. Luckily, he will be getting exactly that in 2022 and beyond. With the Broncos including Noah Fant in the trade to acquire Russell Wilson, the starting tight end spot is all Okwuebugnam's. He’s sure-handed, with only one career drop, and he is an expert on generating yards after the catch. Albert O is going to be a popular fantasy sleeper in 2022 and for good reason.
