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CLEVELAND, OHIO – DECEMBER 29: Tyreek Hill #10 of the Miami Dolphins runs the ball during the fourth quarter against the Cleveland Browns at Huntington Bank Field on December 29, 2024 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
After a disappointing 7-10 season, the Miami Dolphins will have to make several changes as they head toward the 2026 season. The team already made changes to its front office and coaching staff. Now it is time for them to make roster changes. For starters, the team will have to replace the production of wide receiver Tyreek Hill. The Dolphins are expected to release Hill following his dislocated knee injury.
Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle failed to replace Hill’s production. He originally filled Hill’s shoes as he had over 80 receiving yards in five of the first six games Hill missed; however, he failed to reach that mark in his last six games of the season. One could argue that he struggled due to poor quarterback play, which resulted in Tua Tagovailoa getting benched, but the likelihood is that the Dolphins will need complementary playmakers for their new quarterback.
Dolphins Predicted to Sign All-Pro Tight End
Bleacher Report’s Alex Kay wrote an article in which he predicted the best landing spot for the top available free agent at each position. In said article, the Dolphins were predicted to land All-Pro tight end Kyle Pitts. After an up-and-down career, Pitts had a strong end to the 2025 season as he totaled 928 receiving yards on a career-high 88 receptions, which earned him second-team All-Pro honors.
Regarding his potential fit with the Dolphins, Kay wrote, “After shipping off Jonnu Smith before the 2025 season kicked off, the Dolphins failed to generate reliable pass-catching production from their tight end spot. Neither Greg Dulcich nor Darren Waller stood out while splitting time as Miami’s primary receiving TE and the team now desperately needs to fill that hole this offseason.
While there are plenty of other question marks for the new Miami regime led by head coach Jeff Hafley to sort out, getting a potential game-changer like Pitts in the lineup could pay dividends. Regardless of whether Tua Tagovailoa, Quinn Ewers or someone else ends up starting under center for Miami in 2026, Pitts should emerge as a favored target thanks to his excellent playmaking skills and ability to create mismatches all over the field.”
Miami Dolphins Playmakers
Additionally, Waller and Dulcich are both set to be free agents. Despite failing to fully replicate Smith’s production, the pair provided some bright spots for the Dolphins. Dulcich in particular had a strong end of the season as he averaged 44.4 yards in the final five games of the season, which would have put him on pace for over 750 receiving yards over the course of 17 games. Meanwhile, Waller struggled with injuries, but he was effective in his limited playing time. His six touchdowns were tied for the second-most on the team this season. He has yet to decide whether he will retire or play again next season.
While Dulcich and Waller could provide a solid tight end for the team, if the Dolphins were to sign Pitts, they would be acquiring an offensive mismatch who is entering his prime. However, due to their salary cap situation and overall needs on the roster, expecting the Dolphins to go after an All-Pro caliber player seems farfetched.
Additionally, that would not align with new general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan’s philosophy. He spoke about using free agency as a way to complement the roster, but he prefers to utilize a draft-and-develop method. A player of Pitts’ talent level could mark an exception to the rule as he would provide a friendly target to the next Miami Dolphins quarterback.
Jose Esquer Jose Esquer is a Mexican-American sportswriter and communications student based in San Diego, CA. His work spans football, basketball, baseball, and soccer. He has written for platforms like RotoWire and DolphinsTalk. You can find him on Twitter/X @JEsquer8, usually talking Dolphins, world football, or both. More about Jose Esquer
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