INDIANAPOLIS — The NFL Combine spared no expense for the big fellas in the passing game. Yesterday was as electric of a day of Combine testing as we’ve ever seen from the tight end position thanks in part to some record-setting marks in the jumps and the 40-yard dash. I hope the Miami Dolphins were paying attention.
The 2026 NFL Draft boasts plenty of intrigue for the tight end position, which is one of Miami’s most sneakily dire needs on the roster. The Packers, where Miami’s new leadership has come from, routinely drafted players at the position. Miami hasn’t drafted a top-100 tight end since Hunter Long in 2021 and they’ve drafted just three tight ends in the top-100 of the NFL Draft since 1988 (Long, Mike Gesicki, Michael Egnew). That’s a pretty brutal list, but thankfully those decision makers aren’t in place. Who should we be eyeing for the Dolphins at tight end after the NFL Combine? Here are three to know.
Three EDGE defenders you should start mocking more to the Miami Dolphins
Feb 26, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Stanford tight end Sam Roush (TE21) speaks to members of the media during the NFL Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Jacob Musselman-Imagn Images
Stanford Cardinal tight end Sam Roush
You want a BIG tight end? I got one for you. Roush is every bit of 267 pounds and 6-foot-6. Despite the size, he jumped 38.50″ in the vertical jump and ran the three cone drill in 7.08s, illustrating very good mobility, body control, and agility.
Roush also hails from Stanford, where the passing offense has been…how should I say this…not good. The Cardinal passing offense as 32 passing touchdowns and 29 interceptions in their last 24 games from 2024 and 2025. So Roush understandably doesn’t offer eye-popping numbers as a pass catcher.
They are respectable, nonetheless. Roush posted 49 receptions for 545 yards and two touchdowns this past season. In all, he feels like a perfect fit for one of those late third-round picks Miami has at 87th overall and 90th overall if Miami is interested.
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Feb 27, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Vanderbilt tight end Eli Stowers (TE25) during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Vanderbilt Commodores tight end Eli Stowers
4.51s 40-yard dash. A record-setting 45.50″ vertical jump. A record-setting 11’03” standing broad jump. 146 career receptions and 1,773 receiving yards, including 1,407 in two seasons in Vanderbilt.
Stowers was named an All-American in 2025 after stops at Texas A&M and New Mexico State before landing in Nashville.
He’s very much a “flex” player at the position and his in-line work isn’t going to be where he shines brightest. There’s needed growth in that regard. Will Miami care for a big flex player? If so, Stowers just crashed the party. 43rd overall is probably a little rich, despite how red-hot his name is after Saturday night’s performance.
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Feb 26, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Notre Dame tight end Eli Raridon (TE19) speaks to members of the media during the NFL Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Jacob Musselman-Imagn Images
Notre Dame Fighting Irish tight end Eli Raridon
Raridon has some medical flags that indicate he’s a bit more of a high-risk option. He has two ACL tears on his resume. But as a Day 3 target for the Dolphins, I think he’s an awesome fit.
The Irish charged him with blocking a lot not only from in-line but also in reduced splits to crack down on defensive ends. And with a 4.62s 40-yard dash, he’s got good athleticism to be a legitimate run after catch threat off of the play action boot game and as an underneath outlet.
I would suspect medicals push Raridon down a bit versus the other two. But if Miami is able to stockpile enough picks, you could even talk me into a double dip at the position. There’s lots of good answers here.
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This story was originally published by A to Z Sports on Feb 28, 2026, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add A to Z Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.