The Miami Dolphins are not expected to do too well in terms of wins and losses for the 2026 season. However, there are significant players on both sides of the field who can be impactful. While there will be players who struggle, others will be able to overcome expectations as breakout stars. There are some candidates who will be able to do just that, but who is the most likely candidate to be the breakout star for the Miami Dolphins? Let’s take a closer look at who one outlet believes this to be.
Greg Dulcich named as the 2026 breakout candidate for the Miami Dolphins
Dec 15, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Miami Dolphins tight end Greg Dulcich (85) arrives for a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Barry Reeger-Imagn Images
The Athletic’s staff wrote an article discussing each team’s breakout candidate ahead of the 2026 NFL Training Camps opening up. Each beat writer chose one player from the team they cover, and Miami Dolphins writer Jim Ayello wrote about tight end Greg Dulcich as the team’s breakout candidate. Below is what Ayello wrote about the tight end:
“In fantasy circles, Dulcich has been a trendy sleeper pick multiple times throughout his short career. And while the now-26-year-old tight end has never lived up to the (preseason) hype before, there’s reason to believe he might this year. Why? Let’s start with the obvious: Who else is QB Malik Willis going to throw 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.
“The new Dolphins regime clearly likes Dulcich, as it paid him $3.25 million to stay in Miami. That keeps Dulcich tied to offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik, who was promoted to OC after being Miami’s pass game coordinator last year. No one is saying he’s going to catch 100 passes this year, but Dulcich looks like a name to watch for those targeting a late-round tight end.”
Greg Dulcich has been struggling to stay on the field as he tied his career-high with 10 games (three starts). He recorded 26 catches on 33 targets for 335 yards (12.9 yards per reception) with one touchdown grab. With quarterback Malik Willis being someone who likes to target the tight end, this is something that can really help him be a star offensively.
With the projected starting wide receivers of Jalen Tolbert, Tutu Atwell, and Malik Washington likely struggling to defeat coverages, a veteran tight end will be able to do just that. It will be intriguing to see how the Miami Dolphins look with a potential breakout candidate in Greg Dulcich.
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