Dulcich chosen by Broncos, Rhyan off to Packers on Day 2
Two former UCLA players were selected in the third round of the NFL draft on Friday night, with tight end Greg Dulcich going to the Denver Broncos at pick No. 80 and offensive lineman Sean Rhyan heading to the Green Bay Packers at No. 92.
Dulcich, who entered UCLA as a walk-on, was the third tight end selected in the draft. He should get playing time right away in Denver, with the Broncos having traded tight end Noah Fant this offseason.
“You wouldn’t believe it,” Dulcich said on KOA radio after being selected. “We’re jumping off the walls here. We’re so excited to get out there and get to work.”
Dulcich, a first-team AllPac-12 honoree last season, had 42 receptions last season for 725 yards, and his 17.3 average yards per catch ranked second in the nation among tight ends.
The Glendale native didn’t see the field much at UCLA until his third year, when he was awarded a scholarship and blossomed into one of Dorian Thompson-Robinson’s top targets.
Now, he’s set to be catching passes from new Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson.
“To have someone like that as my leader and a guy I’m going to go to, there’s so much to learn from him,” Dulcich said on KOA. “I can’t wait to get out there and throw the ball with him.”
Dulcich went 25 spots after Colorado State tight end Trey McBride (Arizona Cardinals) and seven spots after Virginia’s Jelani Woods (Indianapolis Colts).
Dulcich led UCLA with 517 receiving yards and five touchdowns during the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, earning second-team All-Pac-12 honors
Rhyan was as consistent as offensive linemen could come during his time at UCLA, and he’ll bring that durability to the Packers. Rhyan told reporters that he talked to Green Bay a little ahead of the draft and knew they were interested.
“Hearing my name, getting called by them and getting that phone call,” Rhyan said. “I’m extremely blessed. I’m excited to be a Packer.”
Rhyan started every game during his three-year UCLA career, earned firstteam All-Pac-12 recognition last season and helped the Bruins average more than 200 rushing yards per game in consecutive seasons for the first time since 1987.
Over his three seasons, Rhyan cleared the way for two running backs who recorded 1,000-yard rushing seasons in Joshua Kelly his freshman year and Zach Charbonnet his junior season.
He only allowed two sacks in his collegiate career, which included 1,160 passblocking snaps. That was tied for the fewest among offensive tackles who had a minimum of 1,000 passblock snaps between 2019 and 2021, according to Pro Football Focus.
Rhyan, a Ladera Hills native, was also a track and field star at San Juan Hills High, where he set school records in the shot put and discus.
He has the ability to play both the guard and tackle positions, versatility that could be helpful to Green Bay where he’ll compete to block for Aaron Rodgers.