The Player: Mike Gesicki
Miami Dolphins tight end Mike Gesicki played 2022 on the franchise tag and was done a huge disservice by changes in his team's coaching staff and scheme. After posting consecutive seasons with 700 or more receiving yards in 2020 and 2021, the 27-year-old saw his role drastically reduced in 2022. He played his fewest snaps since his rookie season despite appearing in 17 games and tallied a mere 362 receiving yards and five touchdowns.
The Fit:
Gesicki was a valuable pass catcher in the Dolphins' previous regime, totalling 2053 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns at a respectable 7.2 yards per target from 2019 to 2020. His lack of blocking willingness or prowess made him a poor fit for first-year head coach Mike McDaniel's new scheme in Miami, so Gesicki would benefit from finding a high-volume passing attack willing to take on a reclamation project. A contending team that isn't afraid to spread the ball around would make sense. The Buffalo Bills know him well and fit the bill.
The Cost:
Gesicki is coming off a down year, but it wasn't due to injury or any traceable decline, so it remains to be seen how much it will affect his value. The Dolphins will likely be unwilling to place a second straight franchise tag on him; that would cost them $13.12 million. Gesicki will likely approach that number in per year average. Unless teams absolutely despise what they saw in 2022, he should exceed the three-year, $37.5 million deal Hunter Henry signed with the New England Patriots in 2021 and should at least flirt with David Njoku's four-year, $54.75 million pact with the Cleveland Browns.
Photo Credit: © ANDRES LEIVA/PALM BEACH POST / USA TODAY NETWORK
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