University of Miami tight end says he’d love to stay in South Florida and play for Miami Dolphins

With the 2022 NFL season over, teams are now looking to the 2023 draft to upgrade their rosters. Prospects participating in next week’s 2023 NFL Scouting Combine are looking to impress teams, and tight end Will Mallory is among those prospects.

The University of Miami pass catcher spoke to the Miami Dolphins at this year’s Senior Bowl, and the 23-year-old recently said that he sees himself staying in South Florida.

“Whatever team wants me, I’ll give my all,” he said. “If it’s the Dolphins, that’s awesome. I’d love to stay down in South Florida. I love it down here.

“Close to home, so I feel like they probably had a good look at me the past five years. I felt the interview went really well with them. They had good energy, excited obviously for next season and just trying to build something special.”

The Florida native spent five seasons playing for the Hurricanes, racking up 115 catches for 1,544 yards and 14 touchdowns. He isn’t the flashiest tight end available in the upcoming draft, but he could play a solid secondary role for the Dolphins.

It seems pretty likely that Miami will be in the market for some tight ends this offseason. Mike Gesicki, who has spent all five seasons of his career with the Dolphins, is expected to leave the team in free agency.

“I’m told that he’s expected to test free agency and not return to Miami — just wasn’t a fit there for scheme,” said NFL Network’s Cameron Wolfe.

As Wolfe mentioned, it just wasn’t a good fit for Gesicki under the offensive scheme that Mike McDaniel brought to South Florida. McDaniel’s offense requires his tight ends to be pretty versatile and good at blocking, something that isn’t Gesicki’s best attribute.

The 27-year-old will undoubtedly have plenty of suitors in free agency. With his size and athleticism, Gesicki could be a valuable asset for plenty of different teams that use tight ends differently.

As for Mallory, he’s got solid hands, speed and athleticism. He could be a solid threat in the red zone for Tua Tagovailoa in the 2023 season.

Miami only has a total of five selections in the 2023 draft. It has one second-rounder, two third-rounders, one sixth-rounder and one seventh-rounder.

Luckily for the Dolphins, Mallory is expected to be available in the later rounds. It seems like he might even be available for the team as an undrafted free agent.

Only time will tell if Mallory’s story keeps him in South Florida.