The New York Giants began forming their practice squad on August 27 (more on that below), but one preseason standout and roster cut was notably missing from the list.
“Former [Denver] Broncos and Giants TE Greg Dulcich is signing with the [Miami] Dolphins’ practice squad, per source,” NFL Network insider Tom Pelissero reported on Wednesday. “An opportunity for one of the NFL’s preseason leaders to potentially get elevated and play quickly.”
Miami’s top tight end is another familiar face, ex-Giants starter Darren Waller, who came out of retirement this offseason. Overall, it’s a weaker position for the Dolphins, though, and Dulcich might be better positioned to move up the ladder there as Pelissero alluded.
“Not surprised that Dulcich elected to join another P-squad after failing to crack the top four with the Giants,” The Athletic’s NYG correspondent Dan Duggan commented after seeing the news. Based on Duggan’s reaction and Dulcich’s preseason numbers, the assumption appears to be that Big Blue offered Dulcich a practice squad spot.
Will the Giants Regret Keeping Daniel Bellinger Over Greg Dulcich?
At tight end, the Giants had two locks and one near-guarantee. Starter Theo Johnson and top blocking TE Chris Manhertz were the locks, while 2025 draft pick Thomas Fidone II was very likely to make the roster after a promising training camp and preseason.
That left one final spot for either Dulcich or former Giants fourth-rounder Daniel Bellinger.
It’s easy to forget that Dulcich was a former third-round talent, in his own right, and he certainly played like it in August. Over three preseason outings, Dulcich caught 7 of his 8 targets for 53 receiving yards and 3 touchdowns.
It’s important to note that Bellinger is the better blocker, but he didn’t do much of anything this preseason as a receiver. Bellinger only appeared in one game, with 1 catch for 0 yards.
After roster cuts were revealed, many around the NYG community argued that the Giants should have kept Dulcich over Bellinger, and that general manager Joe Schoen only chose the latter because of his draft status as a member of the GM’s inaugural draft class.
“Giants have made all of the wrong cut options,” one popular post read. “Why does Bellinger deserve a spot over Dulcich lol.”
Giants Name First 13 Players to Practice Squad on Wednesday
The Giants began constructing their 2025 practice squad on August 27, filling 13 of the potential 17 spots (including an international prospect).
They were:
- DL Elijah Chatman
- DL Elijah Garcia
- DL Jordon Riley
- OLB Trace Ford
- OLB Tomon Fox
- CB Dee Williams
- S Raheem Layne
- C Bryan Hudson
- G Jake Kubas
- RB Dante Miller
- WR Lil’Jordan Humphrey (veteran)
- WR Ihmir Smith-Marsette (veteran)
- K Jude McAtamney (international)
There are a lot of names on this list that Giants fans will appreciate. Chatman, Miller and Kubas are three former standout UDFAs who either made the cut last year or just barely missed it.
In 2025, none of the three made the initial 53, but at least they were all retained on the practice squad.
Also of note are veteran free agent signings Humphrey and Smith-Marsette, who elect to return after being released by Big Blue. Layne adds safety depth with knowledge of the NYG scheme, and Riley is a former draft pick.
One last intriguing practice squad signing was Ford, a 2025 UDFA who might have seriously pushed to make the roster if the Giants weren’t so stacked at edge rusher.
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