Lucas Krull Bio
Lucas Krull (born July 11, 1998) is an American professional football tight end for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) and listed at 260 lb (118 kg), he plays as a pass-catching tight end and is recognized for his unusual athletic background that spans both baseball and football. After going undrafted in the 2022 NFL draft, Krull signed with the New Orleans Saints and made his NFL debut later that season. He joined the Denver Broncos in 2023, where he caught his first career touchdown.
Krull is best known for his college production at the University of Pittsburgh, where he earned Second-team All-ACC honors in 2021, and for his transition into a contributing role within the Broncos offense. His journey from a small-town Kansas athlete to a professional tight end highlights a steady climb built on versatility, perseverance, and consistent development.
Early Life and Background
Lucas Krull was born on July 11, 1998, in Shawnee, Kansas, a suburb in the Kansas City metropolitan area. He grew up in Shawnee and attended Mill Valley High School, where he lettered in both football and baseball. His size and athleticism made him a notable two-sport prospect, and he began drawing the attention of college recruiters in both football and baseball during his prep years.
Before focusing fully on football, Krull had a meaningful baseball career. After high school, he attended Jefferson College, a junior college in Hillsboro, Missouri, where he played baseball as a left-handed pitcher. During his time at Jefferson College, he recorded 27 strikeouts over 16 and 2/3 innings on the mound. His performance on the baseball diamond led the San Francisco Giants to select him in the 34th round of the 2018 MLB Draft.
Path to American Football
Although Krull had committed to play baseball at Arkansas before ultimately choosing a different path, his athletic future ultimately shifted toward football. After his draft experience with the Giants, he transitioned to collegiate football, joining the University of Florida, where he played for the Florida Gators from 2018 to 2020. The switch allowed him to combine his size, hand-eye coordination, and competitive background into a new primary sport.
Krull transferred to the University of Pittsburgh ahead of the 2020 season, joining the Pittsburgh Panthers football program. In 2020, a knee injury cost him most of the season, but he returned in 2021 and produced his most decorated college year. Starting 11 of 14 games, he recorded 38 receptions for 451 yards, averaging 11.9 yards per catch, and scored six touchdowns. His strong senior season earned him Second-team All-ACC honors and positioned him as a legitimate NFL prospect.
Lucas Krull Career
Early Career (2022)
Following the 2021 college season, Lucas Krull entered the 2022 NFL Draft but went unselected. The New Orleans Saints signed him as an undrafted free agent, having been impressed by his pro day performance, which included a 4.54-second 40-yard dash, along with his athleticism, ball skills, and straight-line speed. He was released during final roster cuts but was quickly brought back on the Saints’ practice squad.
Krull was elevated to the active roster on December 5, 2022, ahead of the Saints’ matchup with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He made his NFL debut in that game, appearing on 11 offensive snaps and showing enough promise to earn a reserve/future contract on January 9, 2023. His first NFL stint established him as a developmental tight end with upside.
Denver Broncos Era (2023–Present)
On August 29, 2023, the Saints waived Lucas Krull, and two days later, on August 31, he signed with the Denver Broncos’ practice squad. The Broncos signed him to their active roster on December 15, 2023. In Week 16 of that season, Krull caught his first career NFL touchdown against the New England Patriots. Across 2023, he played in seven games, beginning to establish himself as a depth tight end in Denver.
In 2024, Krull took on a larger role in the Broncos offense, appearing in 13 games and finishing the season with 19 receptions for 152 yards. On March 4, 2025, the Broncos tendered him as an exclusive-rights free agent, keeping him under contract through the 2025 season. He played in the Broncos’ first three games of the 2025 season before suffering a broken fifth metatarsal bone in his left foot during practice on October 3, 2025. He underwent surgery and was placed on short-term injured reserve on October 4, with an expected recovery of about eight weeks.
On March 12, 2026, Krull re-signed with the Denver Broncos on a one-year contract, signaling the franchise’s continued belief in his role within the offense.
Driving Style and Strengths
While tight ends are evaluated differently than race-car drivers, Krull’s professional strengths translate to on-field traits. He combines the 6 ft 6 in frame typical of a red-zone target with the foot speed and athleticism of a former pitcher and multi-sport athlete. His 4.54-second 40-yard dash, reliable hands, and capacity to line up as both an in-line blocker and a flex receiver give the Broncos offensive staff flexibility in how they deploy him on game day.
Notable Events and Milestones
Lucas Krull’s most notable milestones include his first NFL touchdown catch against the New England Patriots in Week 16 of the 2023 season and his Second-team All-ACC recognition in 2021 while at the University of Pittsburgh. He has also been part of two NFL franchises during his young career, going from an undrafted free agent in New Orleans to a regular contributor in Denver.
Lucas Krull Career Stats
As of the 2025 NFL season, Lucas Krull has recorded 29 receptions for 262 receiving yards and 1 receiving touchdown across his NFL career with the New Orleans Saints and Denver Broncos. His college career at Pittsburgh remains his most statistically productive stretch, highlighted by 38 receptions, 451 receiving yards, and 6 receiving touchdowns in 2021.
NFL Highlights
Krull’s NFL production has grown steadily since his 2022 debut. His first career touchdown came in Week 16 of the 2023 season against the New England Patriots, a memorable milestone in his early professional resume. He expanded his role significantly in 2024, recording 19 receptions for 152 yards while playing in 13 games for the Broncos.
College and Other Performances
Before entering the NFL, Krull earned Second-team All-ACC honors at the University of Pittsburgh in 2021, the same year in which he posted 38 receptions for 451 yards and 6 touchdowns. His prior baseball experience at Jefferson College and his brief selection by the San Francisco Giants in the 2018 MLB Draft underscore the rare multi-sport athletic profile that continues to define his career path.
| Team | Years | Receptions | Receiving Yards | Touchdowns |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Denver Broncos | 2023–Present | 29 | 262 | 1 |
Lucas Krull Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public information about Lucas Krull’s parents and immediate family has not been widely published. He grew up in Shawnee, Kansas, where his early athletic development took shape across multiple sports.
Personal Life
Details about Lucas Krull’s spouse, children, and current residence are not publicly confirmed. He maintains a social media presence on Instagram, where fans can follow updates related to his professional football career.
2025 Season Performance
Lucas Krull entered the 2025 NFL season as a member of the Denver Broncos after being tendered as an exclusive-rights free agent in March 2025. He appeared in the Broncos’ first three games of the season, contributing as a rotational tight end within Sean Payton’s offense. His role reflected the steady growth he had shown throughout the 2024 campaign.
Krull’s season was interrupted in Week 4 when he suffered a broken fifth metatarsal bone in his left foot during practice on October 3, 2025. He underwent surgery to repair the injury and was placed on short-term injured reserve on October 4, with medical staff projecting an eight-week recovery timeline. The injury temporarily halted his momentum but did not alter his long-term standing with the franchise.
Looking beyond the 2025 season, Krull re-signed with the Denver Broncos on a one-year contract on March 12, 2026, ensuring his place within the team’s tight end room. His recovery progress and continued development will shape his outlook as he works toward a healthy return to the field.
