The Miami Dolphins don't have much of a chance to be playoff contenders in 2026, but that's by design. Jon-Eric Sullivan and Jeff Hafley are kick-starting a rebuild this season.
But that doesn't mean the Dolphins won't be looking to try every game, especially since it's imperative to figure out who on this roster should be considered key players on the team.
Greg Dulcich could become one of those key players if his widely projected breakout season happens. As The Athletic's Jim Ayello noted, there are two obvious reasons why a breakout can happen for Dulcich this upcoming season.
Why Greg Dulcich could have a breakout season in 2026
1. Who is Malik Willis throwing to?
"Let's start with the obvious: Who else is Malik Willis throwing to? The wide receiver cupboard is bare, and if the Dolphins are as bad as many expect, Willis will be throwing a lot late in games," Ayello writes.
The Dolphins' wide receiver room is very bleak compared to those around the NFL. Malik Washington, Tutu Atwell, and Jalen Tolbert are likely the top three WRs on the team.
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Caleb Douglas, Chris Bell, Kevin Coleman Jr., Theo Wease Jr., Tahj Washington, and Jalen Reagor, along with a few others, make up the current depth chart.
That's a barren WR room, and it makes Dulcich at tight end seem like a much more appealing target. By default, he might see plenty of work in 2026.
2. A $3.25 million commitment
"The new Dolphins regime clearly likes Dulcich, as it paid him $3.25 million to stay in Miami," Ayello writes. "That keeps Dulcich tied to offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik, who was promoted to OC after being Miami's pass game coordinator last year."
Following the money is always a good way to figure out a team's intention. Considering the Dolphins, in rebuilding mode, spent $3.25 million to keep Dulcich on the roster, it's clear they have a plan for him.
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Last season in 10 games, he caught 26 of 33 passes for 335 yard sand a touchdown. It's not anything out of this world, but its usage is good enough to at least garner some interest.
More importantly, with Darren Waller gone, Dulcich will be the tight-end-one in Miami. They paid him like a starter on a rebuilding team, so Dulcich should see plenty of action this upcoming season.
Dolphins likely to utilize Greg Dulcich plenty in 2026
The Dolphins spent a decent amount of money on Dulich, $3.25 million, amid the team's rebuild and roster teardown, with well over $100 million in dead cap hits hitting the books in 2026 and 2027.
Combine that contract with the Dolphins' lackluster WR room, and it makes sense why Dulcich is called a breakout candidate for the Dolphins.
Could Dulcich get over 55 targets, over 33 receptions, over 411 yards, and over two touchdowns in 2026? If he's healthy all year long and is featured in the offense like it seems he could be, it would be a surprise if he doesn't surpass those figures.
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Doing so would mean he hits career-highs in every category. Such a season wouldn't even be that shocking. 60 targets for 40 receptions, 450 yards, and three touchdowns would be fairly normal for a starting tight end; in fact, it might be a little underwhelming.
Ayello named Dulcich the Dolphins' top breakout candidate this upcoming season, and gave these two obvious reasons as to why.
The former Denver Broncos draft pick has a chance for a breakout 2026 season, and it wouldn't be a huge surprise if he made it happen.
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