Prediction: Miami Dolphins Sign Justin Joly

Maybe I’m just higher than others on Joly, but this move came as a big shock. Starting at the beginning back as a prospect, Joly ranked 104th overall for me, which is much higher than he was drafted.

Joly would end up falling to round five, going 152nd overall. While that’s still not great draft capital, being selected in round five gives you a good shot to make the team, so I’m not sure what happened. Keep in mind that Denver was a team many talked about as targeting a tight end early in the 2026 NFL Draft.

As MikeKlis9NEWS on X notes, “He did struggle adjusting to NFL in training camp and clearly he could use a redshirt year.”

With that being said, Joly is 22 years old, and I viewed him as more of a developmental receiving tight end anyway. Cutting Joly from a weak tight end room is a head-scratching move.

Justin Joly’s Fit With the Miami Dolphins

Without trying to criticize the Dolphins’ roster too much, they have a fairly poor tight end room and group of weapons. While the Broncos look like Super Bowl contenders, Miami is in the race for the number one overall pick in 2027.

Greg Dulcich is not an ideal starter, and Will Kacmarek is listed as the backup to him right now. Kacmarek was selected 87th overall, but for what it’s worth, I’m a much bigger fan of Joly.

Outside of that, there’s not another player that even comes close to Joly potential-wise in the Dolphins room right now. For the Broncos, they need production this year, but Miami can focus on development. 

Even if Joly struggles as a rookie, he doesn’t have to see the field much as the potential TE3 on this roster. That said, Joly absolutely has the talent to be a better player than Kacmarek and even Dulcich in 2027.

This really looks like an easy choice for the Miami Dolphins to make. The Dolphins should be looking to take shots on potential difference makers, and Justin Joly provides that ceiling, even while acknowledging that his floor is low as well.