When it comes to draft history, the Miami Dolphins have an intriguing relationship with the tight end position. Since the dawn of the common draft era in 1967, the Dolphins have made 42 selections at tight end—but none in the first round. As we look ahead to the 2025 NFL Draft, let’s dive deep into how Miami has handled drafting players for this position over the years.
Tight End Draft Overview for the Dolphins
- Total Picks: 42
- First-Round Picks: Zero
Despite casting a wide net over the years, the Dolphins are conspicuously absent from the list of teams that have ever taken a tight end with their first-round pick. That club includes not only Miami but also Minnesota, Washington, Tennessee, and Carolina.
The Dolphins’ most recent forays into tight end selection show a mix of late-round hopefuls and mid-round investments. Elijah Higgins, snagged in Round 6 of the 2023 draft, joins the ranks alongside Hunter Long (Round 3, 2021) and Durham Smythe (Round 4, 2018).
Most notable among recent picks was Mike Gesicki, who was chosen in the second round back in 2018—a rare move for Miami, as the team hadn’t used a second-rounder on a tight end since 1976. Despite flashes of brilliance, Gesicki parted ways with the team for New England without truly cementing himself as a game-changer like Travis Kelce or George Kittle.
Hits and Misses
Miami has seen both successes and setbacks at this position. Highlights include Jim Mandich (Round 2, 1970) and Bruce Hardy, a ninth-round steal in 1978.
Ferrell Edmunds, picked in the third round in 1988, even made the Pro Bowl—the only Dolphins tight end draftee to do so. Randy McMichael and Charles Clay also delivered solid returns on their lower-round selections, while Durham Smythe provided seven reliable seasons before hitting free agency.
On the flip side, there have been whiffs, too. Loaird McCreary (Round 2, 1976) failed to make a lasting impact, as did Michael Egnew, a third-rounder in 2012, and the more recent Hunter Long.
Trends and Observations
The lack of a first-round pick at tight end might suggest the Dolphins have historically placed less value on the position compared to others. What’s fascinating is their strategic decision-making during the Dan Marino era, where they leaned more on high-powered passing offenses without heavily investing in a tight end. Still, post-Marino, the hunt for a truly transformative talent at tight end continues.
Thus far, despite keen efforts and occasional bright spots, the search for the Dolphins’ tight end extraordinaire remains somewhat elusive. As the 2025 draft approaches, it will be interesting to see how Miami navigates this persistently curious aspect of their draft history.
