The Dolphins made a roster gamble over the weekend that backfired on them — a young talent is now headed elsewhere for the rest of 2025
A young gun got away from Miami after a risky roster shuffle.
The Miami Dolphins made a calculated decision over the weekend — one that ultimately did not work out in their favor. No, I’m not talking about the team’s late fourth-down call that New Orleans stuffed. Nor am I talking about Nick Westbrook-Ikhine’s decision to pull away from the Saints’ late onside kick, or any other call made during Miami’s 21-17 victory over New Orleans.
Instead, this decision was made the day before the game, as Miami chose to waive two young players off the 53-man roster to make room for returning starters Darren Waller and Austin Jackson. One of those young players will, officially, not be coming back.
Former Dolphins tight end Hayden Rucci claimed off waivers by the Detroit Lions
The Dolphins’ decision to release tight end Hayden Rucci was a risky one, but one the team could justify thanks in part to the return of Waller, the emergence of Greg Dulcich as an ancillary weapon in the passing game, and the presence of Julian Hill and Alec Ingold as blocking pieces in the offense. Rucci, a second-year tight end from Wisconsin, had flashed in two preseasons in Miami thanks to his physical blocking profile before making his NFL debut with Miami this season. He’s been claimed by the Detroit Lions and will take a place on their 53-man roster.
The Dolphins, under the direction of interim general manager Champ Kelly, obviously didn’t covet Rucci too much, or else they would not have subjected him to waivers. But he did flash in a month of games for Miami in the midst of their strong November. Rucci had played 81 snaps across four games in Miami, 39 on offense and 42 on special teams.
Now, he’ll get an audition elsewhere in the league across the final month of the season. It would not surprise to see Rucci carve out a nice role for himself — especially in an offense that could afford him more traditional in-line reps that don’t charge him with blocking and connecting with defenders in space. The Dolphins’ offense uniquely asks a lot of their tight ends. And the bitter turn for Miami in this regard is that Rucci, after a year and a half of investment, appeared to see the light bulb start to flicker as though he was getting it. He’ll now press on in Detroit, while Miami hopes that Dulcich, Waller, and Hill stay healthy for the stretch run.
Dolphins players added since Champ Kelly took over on October 31st
- EDGE Andre Carter Jr.
- CB A.J. Green
- LB Caleb Johnson
- OT Austin Jackson (Injured Reserve return)
- TE Darren Waller (Injured Reserve return)
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