One Miami Dolphins rookie is already delivering on the high praise he received from Jon-Eric Sullivan on draft night
The Miami Dolphins nearly doubled this rookie’s snap count from Week 1 to Week 2. After reviewing the tape, that number should keep climbing.
The Miami Dolphins are starting to see the returns on their 2026 NFL Draft investments this month. Add third-round rookie tight end Will Kacmarek to the pile as the latest example with his play against the San Francisco 49ers.
Kacmarek did not get a ton of run against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 1 — but his usage doubled into Week 2. And boy, was he everything the Dolphins said he’d be when they picked him.
More of Miami Dolphins rookie tight end Will Kacmarek is just what the doctor ordered
Don’t remember what Miami said about Kacmarek on draft night? I got you. Here’s the review from Dolphins GM Jon-Eric Sullivan on Friday night of the draft.
“He’s going to be one of those guys. He’s an unsung hero. You know, he’s a grimy, dirty, bite your face off type of dude. He’s going to be a difference maker for us in the run game which allows your offense to do so many different things. It just opens up so many doors for the offensive coordinator, the way they call the game. And he’s elite – I think he’s elite as a blocker. When you watch the league and see tight ends block, I think this guy, Day 1, is on the upper echelon of that and will only get better. That doesn’t make the stat sheet, that typically doesn’t make the highlights on ESPN, but that’s OK.”
— Miami Dolphins GM Jon-Eric Sullivan on TE Will Kacmarek
He was exactly that Sunday. Kacmarek was physical at the point of attack, and capable of creating real movement at the line of scrimmage. On one rep in particular, he put 49ers edge rusher Nick Bosa on the ground on a slice action across the formation. That’s not something you see from a rookie tight end every day.
The Dolphins doubled Kacmarek’s snap count from Week 1 to Week 2, and the early returns suggest that number should keep trending upward. The more snaps he gets, the more Miami’s offense stands to benefit from his physicality and blocking ability. He needs more reps. He’s what the Dolphins need offensively, and he performed at a high level against San Francisco. The 2026 NFL Draft class continues to reveal itself week by week, and Kacmarek’s Week 2 play is an encouraging development through the first two games.
The Dolphins envisioned players from this draft class stepping into meaningful roles early. Kacmarek is delivering. Let’s see what he does with even more opportunity moving forward.
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