Coach calls Dolphins draft pick the best in the country at one skill

The Miami Dolphins added 13 players to their roster over the course of the 2026 NFL draft, including three in the first two rounds of the three-day event in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

However, Miami added some talented prospects in the third round like Ohio State tight end Will Kacmarek, who won a national championship in his first year with the Buckeyes after three seasons at Ohio.

The 23-year-old wasn't the most prolific pass-catcher over this five seasons in college football, hauling in just 59 passes for 713 yards and four touchdowns in 53 games, but his former head coach believes he's the best blocker in the nation.

"The Dolphins are getting the toughest and best blocking tight end in the country," Ryan Day posted on social media. "Will established himself quickly here at Ohio State and was consistent throughout his career, bringing a physical mentality every day. He is a reliable player who can be a weapon in the pass game and has a high football IQ. We are excited to watch his NFL journey begin."

Miami signed veteran tight end Ben Sims to serve as the team's top blocker at the position, but Kacmarek has a strong chance to unseat him, especially if he can show anything in the passing game throughout the offseason and training camp.

"Will, he's going to be one of those guys. He's an unsung hero. You know, he's a grimy, dirty, bite your face off type of dude. He's going to be a difference maker for us in the run game which allows your offense to do so many different things," Dolphins general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan said about Kacmarek during the draft. "It just opens up so many doors for the offensive coordinator, the way they call the game. And he's elite – I think he's elite as a blocker. When you watch the league and see tight ends block, I think this guy, Day 1, is on the upper echelon of that and will only get better. That doesn't make the stat sheet, that typically doesn't make the highlights on ESPN, but that's OK.

"He's another culture guy who he does everything the right way. He handles his business in the building. His teammates are going to follow him, and he brings a physicality and a toughness to his craft that I think is unmatched. He is a subtly good wide receiver. Now I'm not going to tell you that he's going to be running away from people and doing all those things, but he's very capable underneath mid zone. He can stretch the seam. He runs good enough to get down the seam. He's a big body. He's got nice hands. So he's not a guy that can't help you in the passing game, I just think his superpower is the in-line blocking."