Grading every NFL player given the franchise tag in 2022 offseason

TE Mike Gesicki — Miami Dolphins

As one of Tua Tagovailoa’s guys, this is one of the moves that excites me the most throughout the league. I’ve been a fan of his game since his days as a Nittany Lion, and he hasn’t disappointed during his days in the league.

Gesicki posted career-high numbers in receptions (73) and yards (780) in 2021, giving him a third straight season with over 50 receptions and his second consecutive with over 700 receiving yards. Although he’s more receiver than traditional TE, new head coach Mike McDaniel is not worried, as he may look back on his days with George Kittle for creative ways to scheme up his new weapon.

Here’s a quote McDaniel shared with Joe Schad of the Palm Beach Post last week:

"I think there’s multiple ways to use players that have skill sets that can help you do things offensively. We’ve had tight ends in our history that have been featured pass receivers and we’ve had featured blockers. On both ends of the system, they are expected and will do both things, majoring or minoring in one or the other, depending on their skill sets. I have no problem, no hesitation or no concern of Mike being able to contribute as a blocker and will use him the way it’s most appropriate for him, as well we’ll do in the pass game, really. Dolphins HC Mike McDaniel"

I also love this move because Miami has roughly $50.3 million in cap space this offseason, the third-most in the NFL. Rather than spending all their money right away in McDaniel’s first year at the helm, the Dolphins decided to tag a player they could easily reup in 2023 as long as he continues on this trajectory. Hopefully he doesn’t ask for that receiver money that many rumored he would this offseason.

Alas, well played Miami.

Grade: A