The Miami Dolphins officially kicked off their rookie minicamp this weekend, and as the first wave of new faces took the field in Davie, one undrafted rookie is already finding ways to stand out despite the obvious limitations of a no-pads setting.
Tight end Will Kacmarek, who joined the Dolphins as a priority free agent following the 2026 NFL Draft, spoke with Dolphins Wire after Saturday's session and explained exactly how he's trying to make an impression when he can't yet do the one thing tight ends are most known for: delivering a punishing block or fighting through contact for a contested catch.
"It's about being intentional with everything," Kacmarek said. "Without pads, you can't just rely on physicality. You have to show the coaches that you understand the game, that you know where to be, and that you can execute the details. That's what I'm focused on right now."
For a player like Kacmarek -- who went undrafted after a productive college career that included stops at Iowa and Ohio State -- this minicamp is the first real opportunity to stake his claim in a suddenly crowded Dolphins tight end room. And for a team that has completely overhauled its offensive identity under new head coach Jeff Hafley and offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik, every rep matters.
A Tight End Room in Transition
The Dolphins' tight end depth chart underwent a significant makeover this offseason. The current roster features Jalin Conyers, Greg Dulcich, Ben Sims, Cole Turner, Will Kacmarek, and Seydou Traore. That's a mix of reclamation projects, developmental prospects, and special teams contributors -- but no established star.
Dulcich, once a promising pass-catching option in Denver, is looking to revive his career in Miami. Conyers, an athletic hybrid, arrived with intrigue but has yet to carve out a consistent role. Sims is a reliable inline blocker. Turner has shown flashes but hasn't been able to stay healthy or seize a full-time job.
That leaves the door open for an undrafted rookie like Kacmarek to sneak onto the roster -- but he has to force the issue.
"Every day is an interview," Kacmarek said. "The coaches are watching everything. How you line up, how you get out of your stance, how you run your route, how you finish. Even without pads, they can tell who's serious and who's just going through the motions."
Making the Most of the No-Pads Reality
Rookie minicamp is unique in that it's the only time during the offseason where pads are strictly prohibited. For veterans, OTAs and mandatory minicamp eventually ramp up to full contact -- but for rookies, this weekend is all about installation, fundamentals, and first impressions in shorts and helmets.
That can be frustrating for players like Kacmarek, whose game is built around physicality. At 6-foot-4 and 250 pounds, he's not the fastest or most explosive athlete in the room, but he has a reputation for being a tough, reliable blocker and a safety blanket in the passing game. Without pads, the blocking piece is almost invisible.
"They can't see me drive a defensive end off the ball or finish a block through the whistle," Kacmarek acknowledged. "But they can see my footwork. They can see my hands. They can see if I'm in the right spot. Those things matter just as much, and that's where I'm trying to win right now."
Kacmarek also emphasized the importance of the mental side of the game. With Bobby Slowik's offense -- a system rooted in the Kyle Shanahan/Mike McDaniel tree that prioritizes timing, spacing, and versatility -- tight ends need to know multiple assignments. They must be able to line up inline, in the slot, or even out wide. They have to understand protections, option routes, and how their role changes based on defensive looks.
"It's a lot right now," Kacmarek admitted. "But that's what I love about it. It forces you to learn. I'm trying to show them that I can handle the mental load. If they trust me to know what to do, that's half the battle."
What Coaches Are Looking For
According to sources familiar with the Dolphins' evaluation process -- and consistent with what Hafley and the coaching staff have communicated publicly -- the rookie minicamp is less about highlight-reel plays and more about foundational evaluation. The Dolphins want to see:
- Processing speed: Can the rookie adjust when a defensive look changes post-snap?
- Route detail: Are they running crisp, disciplined routes, or freelancing?
- Effort and motor: Do they finish every rep, even in a no-pads practice?
- Coachability: How do they respond to corrections on the sideline?
For tight ends specifically, the Dolphins are looking for versatility. In Slowik's offense, the tight end is asked to be a chess piece--blocking from the backfield, releasing from the wing, splitting out wide, and occasionally lining up as an H-back. The more a player can do, the more valuable he becomes.
Kacmarek appears to be leaning into the jack-of-all-trades identity.
"I've always taken pride in being able to do everything," he said. "Block, catch, special teams. Whatever they need. I want them to see that I'm not a one-trick pony. I can help this team in a lot of ways."
The Undrafted Path
Kacmarek's road to the NFL was not a straight line. After beginning his college career at Iowa, where he was primarily used as a blocker, he transferred to Ohio State and showed more as a pass-catcher. His stats -- 24 catches for 204 yards and two touchdowns over his final two seasons -- don't jump off the page. But scouts and analysts consistently praised his football IQ, toughness, and willingness to do the dirty work.
That kind of profile often gets overlooked in a draft class that prioritizes raw athletic testing. For every Travis Kelce or George Kittle, there are dozens of tight ends who run fast 40-yard dashes but never develop into complete players. Kacmarek's hope is that his tape -- and his approach -- speaks louder than his measurables.
"I know I'm not the flashiest guy out there," he said. "But I also know I can play. I've been doing this a long time, and I've gotten better every year. That's what I'm trying to prove here. That I belong."
What's Next for Kacmarek
Rookie minicamp concludes this weekend, but the real work begins when the Dolphins return for organized team activities later this month. That's when the pads go on -- at least in limited fashion -- and the evaluation intensifies.
Until then, Kacmarek will continue doing what he's doing: showing up, putting in the work, and letting the coaching staff see the details that don't require shoulder pads to notice.
"By the time we get to pads, I want them to already know who I am," Kacmarek said. "I want them to think, 'Yeah, that guy gets it.' And then when the pads come on, I'll show them the rest."
For a Dolphins team looking to rebuild its tight end room from the ground up, an undrafted rookie who gets it -- and isn't afraid to prove it -- might just be the kind of addition that sticks.