Players

DREESSEN AT A GLANCE:
• A seventh-year tight end who started at least 10 games in each of the last four seasons with Houston (2009-11) and Denver (2012), totaling 131 receptions for 1,547 yards (11.8 avg.) with 16 touchdowns over that stretch.
• Ranks fifth among NFL tight ends in percentage of catches resulting in touchdowns (14.3% /15-of-105) since 2010 (min. 40 rec.).
• Played in at least 13 games during each of his seven NFL seasons, including all 16 games during his last five years.
• Owns 28 career special-teams tackles and has experience as a long snapper.
• Started all 45 games played at Colorado State University, where he totaled 123 receptions for 1,295 yards (10.5 avg.) with 10 touchdowns and was a two-time first-team All-Mountain West Conference selection.
• Joined the Broncos as an unrestricted free agent on March 29, 2012.
• Selected by the N.Y. Jets in the sixth round (198th overall) of the 2005 NFL Draft.

CAREER TRANSACTIONS: Signed by N.Y. Jets as a draft choice 7/25/05; Waived by N.Y. Jets 9/2/06; Signed by Houston to a future contract 1/2/07; Waived by Houston 9/13/07; Signed by Houston 9/25/07; Signed by Denver as an unrestricted free agent 3/29/12.

Dreessen's Single-Game Highs
(Postseason in parentheses)
Receptions — 6, twice, last at San Diego, 10/15/12 (6 vs. Baltimore, 1/12/13). Receiving yards — 112 vs. Oakland, 10/9/11 (46 vs. Baltimore, 1/12/13.) Longest reception — 56t vs. Oakland, 10/9/11 (11 vs. Baltimore, 1/12/13). Receiving touchdowns — 1, 18 times, last at Oakland 12/6/12 (none).

2012: Dreessen participated in all 16 games (15 starts) for his fifth-straight season and set a career high with 41 catches... His 15 starts were a career best... Caught five receiving touchdowns and finished with 356 yards to mark the second-highest totals in those categories for his career... Caught a pass that was deflected by WR Eric Decker for a touchdown in the fourth quarter vs. Hou. (9/23)... Started Denver’s scoring with a 22-yard, diving touchdown reception vs. Oak. (9/30)... Caught a touchdown pass for the third consecutive game at N.E. (10/7)... Tied a career high with six catches at S.D. (10/15)... Caught his fourth touchdown of the season, a 1-yard reception in the fourth quarter from Peyton Manning that proved to be the game-winning score at Cin. (11/4)... Both of his receptions came on scoring drives at Car. (11/11)... Caught a 1-yard pass on third-and-1 that extended the Broncos’ first scoring drive of the game at K.C. (11/25)... Caught a 6-yard touchdown from Manning on the first possession of the game at Oak. (12/6)... Caught a 28-yard pass in the third quarter to set up RB Knowshon Moreno’s 6-yard touchdown run at Bal. (12/16)... Made three receptions to set a new single-season career high vs. Cle. (12/23)... Tied for a team-high with six catches in his first career playoff start vs. Bal. (1/12).

2011: Dreessen played all 16 regular-season games (10 starts) for the fourth consecutive year and totaled 28 receptions for 353 yards (12.6 avg.) while leading the team with a career-best six touchdowns... Added three special-teams tackles for the Texans... Caught four passes for a career-high 112 yards vs. Oak. (10/9)... Appeared in both of Houston’s postseason contests but did not record any statistics.

2010: Dreessen saw time in all 16 games (10 starts) and recorded career highs in receptions (36) and receiving yards (518) in addition to contributing four touchdowns and three special-teams tackles... Recorded his first career 100-yard receiving game (4-106) at NYJ (11/21).

2009: Dreessen started a career-high 11 games and appeared in all 16 contests for Houston while registering 26 receptions for 320 yards (12.3 avg.) with one touchdown on offense... Handled long-snapping duties for the majority of the season and posted three stops on special teams... Caught a career-best six passes for 81 yards (13.5 avg.) with one touchdown vs. N.E. (1/3).

2008: Dreessen played all 16 games (3 starts) for the first time in his career and recorded 11 receptions for 77 yards (7.0 avg.) on offense along with eight tackles on special teams... Made his first career start in a double tight end set vs. Mia. (10/12).

2007: Dreessen played 13 games (0 starts) and totaled four catches for 55 yards (13.8 avg.) with two touchdowns in addition to ranking second on the club with nine special-teams stops... Made his first career touchdown reception, a 28-yarder from Sage Rosenfels, at S.D. (10/28).

2006: Dreessen spent the season out of football after being waived by the N.Y. Jets at the conclusion of the preseason.

2005: Selected by the N.Y. Jets in the sixth round (198th overall) of the 2005 NFL Draft, Dreessen played 14 regular-season games (0 starts) as a rookie and contributed five receptions for 41 yards (8.2 avg.) and one special-teams tackle... Inactive for the Jets’ first two games before seeing time in the remainder of the club’s contests... Caught his first NFL pass, a 7-yarder, at Den. (11/20).

COLLEGE: Dreessen started all 45 games played at Colorado State University and caught 123 passes for 1,295 yards (10.5 avg.) with 10 touchdowns at tight end while also serving as the Rams’ long snapper... Left the school ranked eighth on the program’s all-time receptions list... Named a first-team All-Mountain West Conference selection following his sophomore and senior campaigns.

PERSONAL: Dreessen was an all-state and all-Colorado selection as a senior at Fort Morgan High School in Fort Morgan, Colo.... Earned first-team all-conference honors during each of his final two prep seasons... Lettered four times each in football and track... Majored in management at Colorado State... Participated in the NFL Broadcast Boot Camp during the summer of 2012 and earned a guest co-hosting spot on SiriusXM NFL Radio with Lions wide receiver Nate Burleson... Joel Clifford Dreessen was born on July 26, 1982, in Ida Grove, Iowa.