Dolphins' 2026 third-round pick projected to start despite Greg Dulcich hype

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The Miami Dolphins are heading into the 2026 NFL season without a whole lot to be excited about, as this is the first year of what could be a lengthy rebuild.

But there are still some individual players that the fan base can get excited to watch in 2026. Malik Willis and De'Von Achane are two obvious, exciting players, but even tight end Greg Dulcich has garnered quite a bit of hype heading into the season.

However, in an interesting twist, according to ESPN's Marcel Louis-Jaques, the Dolphins' third-round pick, tight end Will Kacmarek, is expected to be a starter, which could quell some of the hype surrounding Dulcich heading into 2026.

Dolphins' Will Kacmarek might be starting TE instead of Greg Dulcich

"Players such as first-round picks Kadyn Proctor and Chris Johnson, and third-round pick Will Kacmarek will start right away..." Louis-Jacques writes.

This is a very interesting note from Louis-Jaques, as for much of the offseason since re-signing with the team, Dulcich has been the subject of a lot of hype pieces.

But if Kacmarek is going to be starting for the Dolphins in 2026, then Dulcich won't have much of a chance to benefit from that hype coming into the season.

It's not like all hope is lost for Dulcich, as the Dolphins could simply just live in two tight end sets (12 personnel) during the upcoming season, resulting in both Kacmarek and Dulcich starting more often than not for the Dolphins.

With their weaker wide receiver room and the strong run game from Achane and Willis, it would make sense to build the offense around the ground game and the tight end room.

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Kacmarek, the 23-year-old drafted in the third-round of the 2026 NFL Draft out of Ohio State, had just 15 receptions for 168 yards and two touchdowns last season for the Buckeyes.

He's not really a high-end receiving option, but as a blocker, he could be a huge piece of the Dolphins' offense in 2026 as they try to run the ball and protect Willis as best as possible.

Plus, considering Dulcich could slide over and become a big slot receiver for the Dolphins, with Kacmarek sticking at in-line tight end, the Dolphins could end up starting both Kacmarek and Dulcich often in 2026.

But this note from Louis-Jacques is still an important one to take note of, as the Dolphins' tight end room might not be led by Dulcich as all of the offseason hype has indicated.