Mike Gesicki News

The New England Patriots have reportedly signed tight end Mike Gesicki to a one-year contract. Gesicki will remain in the AFC East division after the 27-year old signed a contract with a ceiling potential for $9 million. Expect Gesicki to play a receiving role potentially in the slot after he lined up 59.0% of his career snaps inside while Hunter Henry remains the primary in-line tight end. On 354 pass snaps last season, Gesicki ranked 40th among tight ends with a 60.5 Pro Football Focus offensive rating while producing 32 receptions for 362 yards and 5 touchdowns and 1.02 yards per route run.

Gesicki remains in the AFC East, moving on after five seasons with the Dolphins to sign with a division rival. The athletic tight end took a back seat to Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle in 2022, with just a 32-362-5 receiving line through 17 regular-season appearances, but he logged two straight seasons with 700+ receiving yards from 2020-21. Now in New England, Gesicki is set to form a tight end tandem with Hunter Henry, a superior blocker and capable pass-catcher in his own right. Gesicki, however, boasts deep-threat and YAC abilities unique to the Patriots' tight end room, giving him the potential to emerge as an interesting fantasy option if he can establish a successful rapport with Mac Jones this offseason.

Gesicki secured 32 of 52 targets for 362 yards and five touchdowns across 17 regular-season appearances with the Dolphins in 2022, and general manager Chris Grier said he has "earned the right to be a free agent" after a year playing on the franchise tag. The tight end appeared a questionable fit in coach Mike McDaniel's scheme even ahead of the 2022 campaign, and despite Miami's coaching staff relaying continued optimism that the athletic tight end would keep a key role on offense, he ended up with his lowest receiving marks since his rookie season. Though Gesicki continued to flash occasional playmaking ability when called upon in 2022, his underwhelming utilization in McDaniel's scheme makes it seem unlikely he re-signs with the Dolphins. Other franchises in the league should be more willing to feature Gesicki's receiving skillset.

Gesicki recorded more receiving yardage Week 18 than his last six games combined, showing some sparks with third-string quarterback Skylar Thompson under center. The Dolphins could realistically have either Tua Tagovailoa (concussion) or Teddy Bridgewater back under center for the upcoming wild-card matchup against the Bills, so it remains to be seen whether Gesicki's trend of more noticeable involvement will continue.

Gesicki recorded more than one catch for the first time since Week 10 and scored for the first time since Week 8 on Sunday, though his yardage total was still modest. The tight end's increased involvement was likely a product of Miami's conservative gameplan without Tua Tagovailoa (concussion) in the lineup, a trend that could repeat Week 18 at home against the Jets.

Gesicki has combined for two catches for 29 yards in five games since Miami's bye in Week 11. Regardless of any athletic or big-play ability he's flashed in previous seasons, Gesicki can only be considered an extremely low-floor option heading into a Week 17 divisional clash against the Patriots. Outside of fantasy formats that start multiple tight ends, he's likely out of consideration for lineups.