Miami Dolphins tight-end decision not getting easier

The Miami Dolphins are going to have a tough decision to make at the tight-end position and it’s not getting easier as camp rolls on.

Last Thursday the Miami Dolphins played their first pre-season game and former 7th round draft pick and annual practice squad tight-end Thomas Duarte looked as though he has made a jump in his knowledge of the game. It could make for an interesting cut to 53.

Last month we discussed the potential at the position and whether or not the Dolphins would carry three or four tight-ends. It is looking more and more likely they will carry four. The question is who?

Mike Gesicki and Durham Smythe are locks to make the final 53. Gesicki has the 2nd round pedigree and is making great plays in camp but was, for the most part, out of the picture last Thursday. Smythe has been a solid blocking tight-end in camp and got some receiving looks in the first game. It is starting to get cloudy from there.

MarQueis Gray is looking good and so is Duarte. A.J. Derby has a foot injury that kept him out last week. The Dolphins think he will be fine and they believe he is a good option at TE but his absence is providing more opportunity for other players to make their case.

Gesicki, Smythe, Gray, and? Will Derby keep his roster spot over Duarte? Will Duarte continue to impress enough to make this a point of competition? The only TE we are not hearing about is Gavin Escobar but it’s not likely that he would have the impact to make the team.

What is for certain is that the Dolphins finally have tight-ends that are developing quickly and it puts them in a decent spot heading into week two of pre-season and into regular season. The Dolphins have not had good tight-ends for quite a while. This could be the strongest unit on the offense if the development continues trending in the right direction.