Broncos Pick 'Em: Who has overperformed expectations the most?

As losses continue to pile up in the Mile High City, more and more Denver Broncos are added to the underperforming list.

But there have been a few bright spots to Denver’s 3-9 season.

Of those bright spots, which player has overperformed expectations the most? The DNVR Broncos Crew discusses.

All odds below are courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook.

Which Bronco has overperformed expectations the most in 2022?

Zac: Greg Dulcich — Typically, tights ends don’t fare well their first year in the NFL. Typically, when a player misses training camp and preseason, it takes them a while to get going once they return, especially rookies.

Dulcich hasn’t just been Denver’s brightest spot on offense during their disappointing season, he’s defied the odds significantly.

Despite missing the first five games to a hamstring injury he suffered in the offseason, Dulcich is already the Broncos’ third-leading receiver in yards (319), receptions (25), touchdowns (1) and targets (37).

In fact, in his seven games, he’s been the team’s leading receiver, in terms of yards, twice and their second-leading receiver in two other games. In over half the games he’s played, the third-round pick has been one of Denver’s top two receivers. What’s even more impressive is he’s a tight end, not even a true receiver.

He hit the ground running as he took his first NFL catch to the end zone, providing a much-needed spark against the Chargers in Week 6.

While the Broncos have a lot of work to do on the offensive side of the ball this season, they won’t have to worry about their starting tight end spot thanks to Dulcich’s emergence.

RK: Baron Browning — Remember when the move from inside linebacker to outside linebacker was announced for Baron Browning?

I do, I was very worried about taking a player who was a bright spot inside and moving him to outside. We’d seen the Broncos botch this situations before—DeMarcus Walker as one example. But over the course of OTAs and training camp, you heard more and more quotes about just how bendy Browning is, and how quick of a get-off he has.

They hype was real.

The Broncos found themselves a real pass rusher for the future. Browning may only have 3.5 sacks and 7 TFLs so far this year but the tape shows a player with no ceiling in the NFL.

Hank: Damarri Mathis — Expectations for Damarri Mathis were low.

Pat Surtain, Ronald Darby and K’Waun Williams were the clear starting group at cornerback. Third-year cornerback Michael Ojemudia was coming off a stellar offseason. The competition seemed to begin with the fifth spot, and third-year corner Essang Bassey had a few starts under his belt and appeared to have the edge.

But, as of now, Damarri Mathis has started more than half of the Broncos’ games. More importantly, the results have been inspiring.

Mathis hasn’t been perfect—he’s given up more than 50 yards in three separate games—but his workload has been massive since Pat Surtain pushes plenty of targets his way, and Mathis has held his own. The Broncos could opt to roll into 2023 with Mathis penciled in as a starter, and that’s a massive overperformance for a fourth-round draft pick.

Picks Picks Picks

Russell Wilson passing yards over/under 212.5

Zac: Over.

RK: Over.

Hank: Over.

Patrick Mahomes passing yards over/under 271.5

Zac: Over.

RK: Over.

Hank: Over.

Patrick Mahomes passing touchdown over/under 2.5

Zac: Over.

RK: Under.

Hank: Over.

Latavius Murray rushing yards over/under 48.5

Zac: Under.

RK: Under.

Hank: Under.

Greg Dulcich receiving yards over/under 40.5

Zac: Over.

RK: Over.

Hank: Over.

Jerry Jeudy receiving yards over/under 54.5

Zac: Over.

RK: Under.

Hank: Over.

Travis Kelce receiving yards over/under 74.5

Zac: Over.

RK: Over.

Hank: Over.

Travis Kelce receptions yards over/under 6.5

Zac: Over.

RK: Over.

Hank: Over.

Marquez Valdes-Scantling long reception over/under 18.5 yards

Zac: Over.

RK: Under.

Hank: Under.

Alex Singleton total tackles over/under 8.5

Zac: Over.

RK: Over.

Hank: Under.

Broncos total points over/under 16.5

Zac: Under. Under. Under.

RK: Under.

Hank: Under.

Chiefs total points over/under 26.5

Zac: Over.

RK: Under.

Hank: Over.

Chiefs-Broncos total points over/under 44

Zac: Under.

RK: Under.

Hank: Under.

Chiefs (-9) @ Broncos

Zac: Chiefs.

RK: Chiefs.

Hank: Chiefs.

Dolphins (-3.5) @ Chargers

Zac: Chargers.

RK: Dolphins.

Hank: Chargers.

Leaderboard

Last week

RK: 7-5

Zac: 5-7

Hank: 4-8

Overall

Zac: 65-66

RK: 63-68

Hank: 50-81