Albert Okwuegbunam worth waiver wire consideration in Week 8

Rookie tight end Albert Okwuegbunam hasn’t been high on the list of waiver wire grabs ahead of Week 8. However, his usage and production in the Broncos last two outings could indicate that the team is ready for him to take on a role.

The team has continued to battle injuries after losing star wideout Courtland Sutton to an ACL tear in his season premiere in Week 2. Second-round rookie WR KJ Hamler has battled a hamstring injury, and TE Noah Fant missed Week 6 with an ankle. Fant returned to the lineup versus the Chiefs but posted a disappointing line of three receptions for 39 yards with a catch rate of 43%. Odds are good enough that Fant may still be recovering.

At this point, Drew Lock just needs a healthy target, and who better to look to than Okwuegbunam — his former teammate at Missouri. In his two games active, he’s commanded 13 targets, reeling in nine of them for a total of 105 yards. He led the team in receiving yards for Week 7, catching all of the targets thrown his way in the Broncos loss.

Okwuegbunam’s blazing 4.49 40-yard dash time and 6’5” 258 pound frame showcases his freakish athleticism, which could be just what the doctor ordered to get Lock back on track. He’ll face the Chargers and Falcons next, each of whom rank top-10 in fantasy points allowed to the tight end position.

Up next: LAC, @ATL, @LV, MIA