The Miami Dolphins and new quarterback Malik Willis need to identify a top option for their offense in 2026, not named De’Von Achane. The recently extended, dual-threat running back in Achane is clearly the top weapon on this young and unproven offense. However, the top-down field target could be up for grabs, and a few contenders could emerge throughout the offseason.
Following the parting of ways with Tyreek Hill and the trading of Jaylen Waddle, the Dolphins signed a few free-agent wide receivers, as well as drafted a trio at the position. Yet when looking for who could be a major option for Willis in 2025, a top candidate could be tight end Greg Dulcich.
So far in organized team activities in South Florida, the fifth-year tight end, Dulcich, is separating himself from the pack and looking like he is creating a rapport with Willis. Dulcich was signed by the Dolphins in the middle of the 2025 season after stints with the Denver Broncos and New York Giants. He made his Dolphins’ debut in Week 8 against the Atlanta Falcons, yet didn’t see a pass thrown his way, but the following week reeled in all five of his targets against the Baltimore Ravens.
A third-round pick of Denver’s from 2022, Dulcich never found his footing with the Broncos, but seems to have landed in a great spot for a breakout campaign in his second year with the Dolphins and first full season in South Florida. He signed a one-year deal during this past offseason worth $3.25 million ($2.91 million being guaranteed)
Dulcich now has a chance to start from Week 1 in a room that will not have Darren Waller, a veteran free agent brought in last season as well, yet the new regime of general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan and head coach Jeff Hafley decided not to re-sign for 2026. Miami also drafted Will Kacmarek in this April’s draft, yet he is much more of an inline, blocking tight end as opposed to a downfield pass-catching threat.
While Dulcich did not have a ton of 2025 volume for Miami, he was very reliable in hauling in 26 of his 33 targets, for a catch rate of 78.8%. In his 10 games with the Dolphins, he had 335 receiving yards and found the endzone one time, Week 17 in a home win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He also didn’t record a drop with the Dolphins and created 14 first downs. Also of note, when Dulcich was targeted, the quarterback had a rating of 119.1 last season in those 10 contests.
Even more interesting is the fact that Willis and Dulcich first started a connection back in 2022 at the Senior Bowl in Alabama during practices when both were draft prospects. The two displayed chemistry back during that evaluation process when Willis came out of Liberty University and Dulcich, UCLA.
Competing with Dulcich for targets in 2026 will be free agents Jalen Tolbert and Tutu Atwell, as well as rookies Caleb Douglas, Kevin Coleman Jr., and Chris Bell when he is fully healthy from rehabbing a 2025 ACL injury. The man who could ultimately challenge for top-target honors is third-year receiver Malik Washington, who is absolutely in the mix to see plenty of action in 2026.
Miami also has 2025 undrafted free agents Theo Wease Jr. and A. J. Henning, as well as 2024’s seventh-round pick Tahj Washington, competing to make the 2026 roster along with Terrace Marshall Jr. and rookie undrafted free agent Donaven McCulley.
Dulcich has very solid momentum from last season, limited challenge in his own position group, and a quarterback who seems to have faith and comfort in utilizing him. In another impressive metric from his games played with Miami last season, when in their own territory from the one-yard line to the fifty-yard line, Dulcich saw 20 targets and caught 19 of them, moving the chains 11 times.
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This article originally appeared on Dolphins Wire: Greg Dulcich could be top option for Dolphins QB Malik Willis in 2026
Reporting by Jason Sarney, Dolphins Wire / Dolphins Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
