Miami Dolphins: Mike Gesicki fits the modern mold at tight end
In the second round of the 2018 NFL Draft, the Miami Dolphins selected Penn State tight end Mike Gesicki. Who is he and was this the right pick?
The Miami Dolphins added a major weapon to their passing attack on Day 2 of the NFL Draft. Mike Gesicki is a 6-6, 247 pound matchup nightmare. While he’s not exactly a well rounded player, he will strike fear into the heart of opposing defense. Much like his obvious comparison, Jimmy Graham, Gesicki cannot block at all, but has the potential to dominate in the passing attack.
While I do believe Josh Jackson was the best player on the board, no Dolphins fan can complain about the team snagging a stud tight end. It’s been a long time or possibly ever since Miami had a tight end that was a true threat down field and an elite red zone threat. That’s exactly what Gesicki is.
He has the upside to be the kind of player that Fantasy players contemplate taking as the first tight end off the board and ask questions like, “Is he worth a late first-round or early second-round pick?” Granted, he’s a glorified oversized wide receiver but he lacks as a blocker he more than makes up for as an athletic pass-catcher.
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There is no doubt in my mind that any other plan the team may have had at tight end is now completely out the window. They now have a Week 1 starter and potentially even their top target in the very near future. It usually takes tight ends a year or two to fully acclimate themselves to the NFL. Nonetheless, he can be the Dolphins what Travis Kelce is to the Kansas City Chiefs.
His skills are blatantly evident every time you watch him. He’s a smooth and dynamic athlete with the ability to go up and get the ball. The kid can run, jump and has the ball skills to terrify a defender. I’m not sure many teams in the league have the player or players to matchup with him.
He’s a true matchup nightmare, that’s not just a cliché I’m throwing out. He’s just too big and athletic for most corners and too fast for linebackers and safeties. While he plays nothing like Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski, he can present defense with the same kind of scheming conundrums.
Next: NFL Draft 2018: Grades for each first-round pick
Gesicki checks both boxes you look for in a draft pick. Not only was he very close to be being the best player available, he also fills a dire need. This is not some sort of combine hero situation. What the team just added is a stud football player who fits the mold of the modern NFL tight end who has become less a hand in the dirt blocker who can also catch passes, and more of a high-end pass-catcher who at times will step inside and chip a pass rusher.