The NFL’s annual roster massacre delivered another gut punch to Giants fans yesterday. Greg Dulcich, the tight end who had MetLife Stadium buzzing during preseason games, won’t be suiting up in blue this fall. Instead, he’s packing his bags for South Beach after the Miami Dolphins swooped in and claimed him for their practice squad.
You could feel the collective sigh from Giants Nation when NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero dropped the news on Wednesday afternoon. “Former Denver Broncos and New York Giants TE Greg Dulcich is signing with the Dolphins’ practice squad, per source,” Pelissero reported. “An opportunity for one of the NFL’s preseason leaders to potentially get elevated and play quickly.”
While it was more expected that the Giants wouldn’t keep four quarterbacks on the active roster, it was tragic that they lost local New Jersey Italian legend Tommy DeVito to none other than the New England Patriots, their Super Bowl rival in their history. Tommy “Cutlets” just aired it out against the third stringers in Preseason Week 3 against the same Pats defense and will now join them off waivers.
With their own practice squad, Big Blue returned 13 of their own players, as standouts like Dante “Turbo” Miller, DL/ FB Elijah Chatman, WR Lil’ Jordan Humphrey, and WR Ihmir Smith-Marsette remain on the team. They also brought in former Baltimore Ravens safety Beau Brade and New Orleans Saints corner Rico Payton. WR Beaux Collins, a former UDFA, made the team, as there are still four more spots left to add to the practice squad.
The Numbers Don’t Lie: Dulcich Was Electric This Summer
Let’s talk about what Giants fans watched unfold during August, because Dulcich wasn’t just good, he was absolutely electric. Over three preseason contests, the former third-round pick from UCLA caught seven of his eight targets for 53 yards and three touchdowns. Three touchdowns! That’s the kind of red zone production that wins games in the regular season.
Meanwhile, Daniel Bellinger, the guy who made the roster over Dulcich, managed one catch for zero yards in his lone preseason appearance. Zero. Yards. It’s enough to make you wonder if general manager Joe Schoen’s loyalty to his 2022 fourth-round pick clouded his judgment when final cuts came around.
The Athletic’s Dan Duggan wasn’t shocked by Dulcich’s departure, noting that the Giants likely offered him a practice squad spot that he declined. Smart move by Dulcich, honestly. Why stick around as the fifth wheel when you can head to Miami and have a legitimate shot at seeing the field?
Miami’s Depth Chart Opens Doors
Here’s where things get interesting for Dulcich’s career trajectory. The Dolphins’ tight end room isn’t exactly overflowing with Pro Bowl talent. Sure, they’ve got Darren Waller coming out of retirement, but the former Giants starter is 32 years old and hasn’t played meaningful football in over a year. Father Time remains undefeated, and Waller’s best days might be behind him.
That creates an opportunity for a player like Dulcich, who’s still just 25 and has shown flashes of the talent that made Denver draft him in the third round back in 2022. Sometimes, a change of scenery is exactly what a young player needs to unlock their potential.
Patriots coach Mike Vrabel understood this concept when New England claimed DeVito off waivers the same day. “Just strengthening the roster, certainly, at a premium position and continuing to add pieces,” Vrabel explained. Smart organizations recognize talent regardless of where it comes from.
There was a chance he would return to New York if he cleared waivers, but now, the former Giants quarterback backs up Drake Maye, along with veteran Josh Dobbs, as the third quarterback. It was ultimately a numbers game, as Jaxson Dart, Jameis Winston, and Russell Wilson, as the starters, will round out the quarterback room as expected.
Giants Fans Express Their Frustration
The reaction from Giants supporters was swift and pointed. Social media exploded with criticism of the decision to keep Bellinger over Dulcich. “Giants have made all of the wrong cut options,” one frustrated fan posted. “Why does Bellinger deserve a spot over Dulcich lol.”
You can understand the anger. Watching a player light up the preseason only to see him cut in favor of someone who barely registered a blip feels like organizational malpractice. It’s the kind of move that makes you question whether the front office is evaluating talent objectively or getting caught up in draft pedigree and sunk costs.
The blocking argument doesn’t hold much water either. Yes, Bellinger might be the superior run blocker, but the NFL has evolved into a passing league where tight ends need to threaten defenses as receivers. Three preseason touchdowns suggest Dulcich brings exactly that kind of threat.
What This Means Moving Forward
For the Giants, this decision will be scrutinized all season long. Every time Bellinger drops a pass or fails to get open in the red zone, fans will remember what Dulcich brought to the table during those August games. It’s the kind of “what if” scenario that can haunt a franchise if Dulcich develops into a productive player elsewhere.
The Dolphins, meanwhile, just added a potential diamond in the rough to their practice squad. If Dulcich can translate his preseason success to regular-season opportunities, Miami could have found its tight end of the future for essentially nothing.
Sometimes the best moves happen after roster cuts, when smart organizations identify talent that other teams couldn’t find room for. The Dolphins just made one of those moves, and Giants fans are left wondering why their team let a playmaker walk away.
