Mike Gesicki: Future In Miami Looks Bleak?
It looks like it could be a matter of when, not if the Dolphins move off tight end Mike Gesicki. On paper, Gesicki appears to be a poor fit with new head coach Mike McDaniel. A year ago, Gesicki was basically a big body receiver. In 2022, in this Shanahan sort of offense, your ass is blocking. Bottom line. Gesicki does not fit that description.
I don’t have a post anywhere on this so I’ll just say it now. My stance on this from a fantasy perspective is probably different from what a lot of people have so I’ll just some of my thoughts on the Dolphins this year. Tua Tagovailoa outscores whatever you’re projecting for him. Jaylen Waddle will lead their team in fantasy points. I’ve talked myself more and more into Chase Edmonds being really undervalued. AND Mike Gesicki is not a tight end I’m investing in even with the skill set.
We have two pretty significant reports recently that should be shared. PFF reporter Doug Kyed put this article out:
“The Dolphins, of course, would not cut Gesicki, who’s playing on a fully guaranteed franchise tag this season, but a trade isn’t out of the question. In fact, the Dolphins have “brought up” Gesicki’s name to other teams, a league source told PFF. That doesn’t mean anything will transpire, but Miami has been willing to engage in conversations.
On top of that, Gesicki is set to make $10.931 million in 2022, and he played the entire first half of Saturday’s preseason game against the Las Vegas Raiders, staying in the game long after other offensive starters, such as quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, wide receiver Cedrick Wilson, tight end Durham Smythe and others, had departed.
And that’s because Gesicki has admitted he’s learning a new position this season. He previously was a big receiver. Now he’s a tight end, and in new head coach Mike McDaniel’s offense, he’ll be expected to block.”
None of this is really surprising, right? Does Gesicki resemble anything that George Kittle provides in the run game?
Former Vikings general manager also had an interesting nugget as well:
“Miami will play good defense this year, but they have to be concerned about the depth at cornerback. They don’t have much depth behind Xavien Howard and Byron Jones (who is currently on PUP). Miami has enough offensive weapons, and QB Tua Tagovailoa should be able to get the ball into the hands of his playmakers, but unless the offensive line improves, they will struggle. The key to Mike McDaniel’s offense is being able to run the ball. In Miami’s first two preseason games, they have really struggled to establish the run game. Mike Gesicki, who they franchised this past offseason, has also struggled in this new scheme. Tight ends must be able to block in this scheme, and that is not Gesicki’s strong suit. Will Miami potentially try to trade him?”—Rick Spielman
It’s hard to project what a trade could look like because Durham Smythe and or Hunter Long can’t possibly be expected to take on a starting role. Miami has invested too much into this team to punt at tight end. Could they get a young tight end back that could block and a middle round pick back? Who would be interested in giving up a major return if other teams know the Dolphins are the ones lacking leverage? Especially with that high price tag and an impending free agent status.
Unless Mike Gesicki gets moved, it’s hard for me to buy into his fantasy stock. There is no guarantee the landing spot is optimal. In Miami, Waddle and Tyreek Hill are going to eat up so much of the target share it’s hard to buy into him having some sort of surprise season. Regardless, it’s a storyline to watch as the start of the season nears.
