Dolphins select tight end Kacmarek with 87th overall pick
The Dolphins drafted Ohio State tight end Will Kacmarek with their second of three fifth-round picks, giving them a skilled blocker who could potentially replace Julian Hill.
The pick, 87th overall, was acquired from Philadelphia last October, in exchange for edge rusher Jaelan Phillips, who signed with Carolina in free agency last month.
ABC analyst and former Alabama coach Nick Saban said he’s the best blocking tight end in the draft.
“He has limited pass catching upside, not real elusive,” ESPN’s Mel Kiper said. “We know what he is. He’s a blocker. That’s what he does. Against Michigan he was outstanding in that regard. Talk about a guy who really gets after it, plus blocker, both out of the backfield and in-line. Sustains, does a good job on the second level. He was pretty sure handed. When the ball was thrown to him, he usually caught it. Runs hard after the catch. He’s limited in the pass receiving game. As a blocker, he’s one of the best in this draft.”
Kacmarek, 6-5 and 261 pounds, had 15 catches for 168 yards and two touchdowns in 10 starts last season. He started six games for Ohio State in 2024, catching eight passes for 86 yards.
He began his career at Ohio, catching 42 passes over two seasons.
“Kacmarek is an old-school, big-bodied “Y” tight end with size, strength and a field demeanor for run blocking,” NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein said. “He needs to improve his pad level and play with more consistent hand placement to continue sustaining blocks on the next level. He drives his feet on contact to create displacement on down blocks and washes defenders into the pile as a zone blocker.
“Catch production will be sparse and come primarily when schemed or on short zone-beaters. Kacmarek’s lack of receiving value could limit his draft stock, but teams looking to prioritize their run-game improvement should be interested on Day 3.”
Kacmarez will compete with veteran Ben Sims, among others, for snaps behind Greg Dulcich.
This story was originally published April 24, 2026 at 10:39 PM.
