2022 NFL Draft: 5 Underrated prospects to watch out for
By Khari Demos
![LINCOLN, NE - OCTOBER 30: Defensive end George Karlaftis #5 of the Purdue Boilermakers warms up before the game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Memorial Stadium on October 30, 2021 in Lincoln, Nebraska. (Photo by Steven Branscombe/Getty Images) LINCOLN, NE - OCTOBER 30: Defensive end George Karlaftis #5 of the Purdue Boilermakers warms up before the game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Memorial Stadium on October 30, 2021 in Lincoln, Nebraska. (Photo by Steven Branscombe/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/a3d33794539d26e1001255ca027846de7ac91badfe70bbee0bee6623379e3b75.jpg)
2022 NFL Draft underrated prospect #4: Greg Dulcich (TE) — UCLA
The Bruins had one of the top tight ends in the country blossoming on their watch over the past two years. Since 2020, Dulcich totaled 1,242 yards, 10 TDs, and 68 receptions to earn two All-PAC-12 selections.
But arguably his most tantalizing stat of them all is his yards per catch; the 6-foot-4, 250-pound TE averaged 18.6 yards per catch in the 2020 and 2021 seasons. In each respective season, he ranked second in the country in yards per catch among all tight ends.
Dulcich is much more of a move TE than a true in-line blocking TE. He does show a willingness to block as a position blocker, though. But NFL teams won’t be drafting him to lock down defensive ends. They’ll want him to make plays like he did against LSU in the open field.
Dulcich really reminds me of a player like Mike Gesicki. Very lengthy, and very dangerous with the ball in their hands, I think the former Bruin has more upside as a blocker than Gesicki does. Plus, Dulcich seems comfortable playing in the h-back role as well, which has become a very popular position for NFL offenses.
But he’s also shown that he can play well out of the slot too. That versatility will make him an attractive prospect for a lot of teams.
Add in a pretty strong showing at the NFL combine — 4.69 time in the 40-yard dash, 34-inch vertical, 10-foot, 2-inch broad jump, 7.05 time in the 3-cone drill — scouts have to be all over Dulcich as a potential option.
Dulcich will most likely hear his name on night No. 2 of the draft and many teams should be vying for his services.
Potential team fit: Washington Commanders
The team may have Logan Thomas returning for 2022, but Washington does not have much else behind him. Plus, Thomas is coming off an injury-plagued 2021 season where he was limited to six games after a breakout 2020 campaign.
I also like the fit here for the fact that new QB Carson Wentz had moments of success in Philadelphia when he had two-TE sets with Zach Ertz and Dallas Goedert. In 2019, Wentz had one of his strongest seasons as a pro, as he leaned on Ertz (88 receptions, 916 yards, 6 TDs) and Goedert (58 receptions, 607 yards, 5 TDs) in getting the Eagles to 9-7 and back to the postseason.
Overall, though, the Commanders need weapons. Outside of Terry McLaurin and Antonio Gibson, no player for Washington finished with more than 609 yards from scrimmage during the 2021 season.
Trey McBride and Isaiah Likely have been some of the other move TEs who have generated buzz this year but don’t forget to put Dulcich right in that mix too.