Lucas Krull is quietly making a name for himself in the Denver Broncos' tight end room. While not a household name yet, his performance in last week’s preseason opener against the San Francisco 49ers has raised eyebrows. In the Broncos' 30-9 victory, Krull made his presence felt with a wide-open eight-yard touchdown catch, showcasing his ability to capitalize on opportunities.
Krull’s Growing Confidence in Year 3
Krull’s performance didn’t go unnoticed by head coach Sean Payton, who praised the 27-year-old for his development. “He’s a guy who has now been in the league for a few years. He’s not a rookie anymore, and he’s found some confidence,” Payton told reporters. “It’s been built with a series of plays. I can remember a critical third down two years ago against the Chargers, where he broke a tackle and converted a first down. He’s stacked up a few of those moments, and I think he’s having a good camp.”
Krull’s journey to Denver has been unconventional. An undrafted free agent in 2022, he started his career with the New Orleans Saints before finding a home in Denver. Since then, he’s appeared in 20 games, tallying 27 receptions for 247 yards and one touchdown in his first two seasons, demonstrating his value as a reliable target in an offense led by Payton.
A Perfect Fit for Payton’s System
Krull is a 6-foot-6, 260-pound athletic specimen who fits the mold of what Payton wants in a tight end: tall, dynamic, and effective in the red zone. His versatility allows him to stretch the field down the seams and be a key contributor in critical situations. Payton, known for his intricate offensive schemes, has noted that Krull’s commitment to the "small details" has been crucial to his growth.
“When you get to the league, there’s so much to grasp and learn,” Krull explained in a recent interview with The Denver Gazette. “There’s a big picture, but none of that matters if you can’t pick up on the little details. That’s something [Payton] continuously talks about, and I don’t take that for granted. You might think something is good, but after watching the film, you realize you could have been better. Those little details are what’s going to bring us to the Super Bowl.”
Krull’s Role Moving Forward
While Krull has clearly shown improvement and earned Payton’s trust, he faces a challenging depth chart in the tight end room. With Evan Engram and Adam Trautman ahead of him, Krull’s regular-season impact may be limited. However, his consistency and hard work have made him a lock to make the 53-man roster for the Broncos, and there could be a place for him in key situations as the season progresses.
The Road Ahead for Krull
Krull’s continued development in training camp and the preseason could give him a shot at increasing his role within the offense. While his opportunities may be limited with Engram and Trautman ahead of him, his reliability and ability to step up in critical moments make him a valuable asset to the Broncos.
If Krull can continue to impress Payton and the coaching staff, he could see more opportunities to contribute as the Broncos head into the regular season, especially in short-yardage or red-zone situations
