Mike Gesicki is set to become a free agent for the first time since being chosen in the second-round of the 2018 NFL Draft, and is expected to be one of the most sought after players at the position.
Gesicki, 6-foot-5 and 250 pounds, hits the open-market for the first time at age 25, after catching 32 passes for 362 yards and five touchdowns, despite a slightly reduced role in Mike McDaniel’s first season as Dolphins head coach.
It would seem unlikely for the Dolphins to re-sign Gesicki, who seemed to minimize his role in the offense in 2022.
However, here are several teams across the league in dire need of upgrades at the tight end position, and could benefit from the addition of a dynamic pass-catcher such as Gesicki.
Here’s a look at the best free agent fits for Mike Gesicki
Chicago Bears
The Bears enter the offseason with a league-high $114 million in cap space, and a plethora of needs, not the least of which is surrounding young quarterback Justin Fields with playmakers in the passing game.
Cole Kmet caught 50 passes for 544 yards and 7 touchdowns last season, but in a scheme that struggled pushing the ball deep downfield, Gesicki could have plenty of room to operate down the seam and be a worthy complement to the 23-year-old in two-tight end sets.
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Cincinnati Bengals
There might not be a better fit for Gesicki’s skill-set than the Cincinnati Bengals.
Gesicki is essentially a big-bodied wide receiver playing tight end, and Dolphins quarterbacks had a 102.3 passer rating on his 50 targets, and he only dropped two passes. Given Joe Burrow’s propensity for pushing the ball deep downfield, and the Bengals’ weapons on the perimeter in Ja’Marr Chase, Tyler Boyd, and Tee Higgins, Gesicki could feast in the space created underneath, as well as in the red-zone.
Tight end may be the only weakness, besides offensive tackle, on a prolific offense and the Bengals have $35 million to continue building around Burrow. Don’t be surprised if Gesicki is a priority target for Cincinnati.
Green Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers could be on the cusp of getting younger, including turning the reigns to quarterback Jordan Love.
There is a lengthy history of franchises pairing young quarterbacks with reliable pass-catching tight ends, and the Packers could wisely follow suit by targeting Gesicki.
If Green Bay trades Aaron Rodgers to the New York Jets, pairing Gesicki with Robert Tonyan could go a long way towards providing Love with a pair of security blankets and red-zone weapons that just might hasten his development.
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