When they signed Russell Wilson to take over at quarterback, the New York Giants already had one of his favorite targets on the roster, but that’s changed after a surprising move on cutdown day.
The Giants officially released veteran tight end Greg Dulcich on Tuesday, August 26, per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, who noted the 25-year-old “led the NFL in preseason TDs and could be claimed on waivers.”
This rates as a surprising move on multiple levels. Not only was Dulcich performing well this offseason, but he was also thriving at a position where the Giants aren’t exactly stacked with premium talent.
Finally, his rapport with Wilson, established when Dulcich snagged 33 catches and a pair of touchdowns with the Denver Broncos in 2022, also made this decision a minor shock.
Giants Taking Risk With Greg Dulcich Cut
Dumping Dulcich makes it appear like the Giants are more than content with their current options at tight end. That seems like a risky stance, despite second-year pro Theo Johnson being touted as a potential breakout candidate.
Johnson has skills, but the fourth-round pick in the 2024 NFL draft also only got a mere 43 targets as a rookie. Wilson’s arrival should mean a bigger workload for Johnson, thanks to the veteran signal-caller’s career-long fondness for targeting tight ends.
That same trait helped Dulcich and a renewed connection looked likely. Especially after Dulcich offered a reminder of his ability to work the seams with this touchdown grab against the New York Jets in Week 2 of the preseason.
Although rookie first-round pick Jaxson Dart threw the pass, the Giants are leaving Wilson without a receiver he knows well. Now, the 36-year-old must focus on building a stronger connection with Johnson, while the Giants hope to avoid injuries at other spots on the depth chart.
Giants Have Questions About Other Tight Ends
Cutting Dulcich loose has left the Giants dealing with more than one question mark on the rest of the depth chart. Perhaps the biggest uncertainty concerns this year’s seventh-round pick Thomas Fidone II.
He’s a gifted athlete who’s caught the eye this offseason, but Fidone also dealt with two ACL surgeries during his collegiate days at Nebraska. It looks as though the Giants weighed upside over durability.
A similar determination may keep Daniel Bellinger on the roster. The fourth-round pick in 2022 has never developed as expected, with an eye problem that needed surgery only partly to blame.
Bellinger still needs to prove he can bring his ample 6-foot-6, 255-pound frame to bear as a blocker, while also offering more value as a receiver. The latter remains a pressing concern because the Giants can feel confident about 33-year-old Chris Manhertz still being able to handle blocking responsibilities, but the veteran offers little in the passing game.
What head coach Brian Daboll and offensive coordinator Mike Kafka need are more credible after-catch playmakers at the position. Tight ends who can win one-on-one matchups and get open in the areas of the field Wilson loves to target.
Dulcich ticked most, if not all of those boxes, so it’s surprising the Giants are happy to move on without him.
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