Dolphins, Nick O’Leary agree to contract extension

The Miami Dolphins and tight end Nick O’Leary agreed to a contract extension on Saturday, according to his agents. NFL Insider Ian Rapoport added the new addition is a one-year extension, through 2019, for $1.5 million, with $500,000 guaranteed. O’Leary will likely serve as the team’s third or fourth tight end next year.

Signed to the Dolphins’ practice squad in late September, injuries to the tight end position led to the team promoting O’Leary to the active roster in early October. In seven games player, with four starts, this season, O’Leary has seven receptions on eight targets for 77 yards with his first career touchdown. He was originally drafted in the sixth round of the 2015 NFL Draft by the Buffalo Bills.

Miami drafted two tight ends this past spring, Miek Gesicki in the second round and Durham Smythe in the fourth round. Both players are still playing like rookies at a position that typically takes time for a player to adjust from the college game to the NFL. Miami has A.J. Derby on the roster as well, but he is dealing with a foot injury. MarQueis Gray, who was expected to serve as the starter at the position as Gesicki developed, was placed on injured reserve at the start of the season after suffering a torn Achilles tendon.

The Dolphins host O’Leary’s former club, the Bills, on Sunday.