Player Updates
Mike Gesicki
TE / Miami Dolphins
Gesicki is expected to part ways with the Dolphins as a free agent this offseason, Daniel Oyefusi of the Miami Herald reports.
Analysis:
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.
River Cracraft
WR / Miami Dolphins
Cracraft secured nine of 14 targets for 102 yards and two touchdowns across 11 regular-season games with the Dolphins in 2022.
Analysis:
Cracraft split time with Cedrick Wilson as the No. 4 wideout in Miami's offense during the 2022 campaign, and he's set to become an unrestricted free agent this offseason. Considering that Cracraft has experience in coach Mike McDaniel's offensive scheme going back to 2022 in San Francisco, though, he could be an option to re-sign with the Dolphins at relatively low cost. His 2022 receiving totals signify career-high marks across the board.
Trent Sherfield
WR / Miami Dolphins
Sherfield secured 30 of 51 targets for 417 and two touchdowns across 17 regular-season games with the Dolphins in 2022.
Analysis:
Sherfield put together the best campaign of his five-year career in his inaugural season with the Dolphins, an outcome that was no doubt assisted by his familiarity with coach Mike McDaniel's scheme from their time together in San Francisco. He established himself as a trustworthy No. 3 wideout down the stretch of the 2022 season, so though Sherfield will be an unrestricted free agent this offseason, the Dolphins could have real motivation to re-sign him as reliable depth behind Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle.
Tua Tagovailoa
QB / Miami Dolphins
Dolphins' Tua Tagovailoa clears concussion protocol
Analysis:
Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has cleared the NFL's concussion protocols.
Tagovailoa had been in protocol since suffering his second concussion of the season in Week 16 versus the Green Bay Packers. According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, the Dolphins are confident Tagovailoa will be 100 percent for next season. Tagovailoa led the league in multiple categories in his third season, including yards per attempt (8.9) and passing touchdown rate (6.3%). The No. 5 overall pick from the 2020 draft will celebrate his 25th birthday in March.
Among the 47 quarterbacks with at least 100 drop backs this season, Tua averaged the third-most Passing Net Expected Points per attempt (0.29). He yielded 18.4 FanDuel points per game.
Tua Tagovailoa
QB / Miami Dolphins
Tagovailoa has cleared the NFL's concussion protocols, and the Dolphins are confident he'll be 100 percent for the 2023 campaign, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Analysis:
Tagovailoa was diagnosed with two concussions during the 2022 regular season, and the second one, which occurred against Green Bay on Christmas Day, ultimately sidelined him for the remainder of the campaign. In early January, Dolphins general manager Chris Grier said Miami had been told by doctors that Tagovailoa's recent head injuries won't leave him prone to more concussions in the future, so the team feels confident the Alabama product can still be a franchise quarterback moving forward.
Tua Tagovailoa
QB / Miami Dolphins
Tagovailoa remains in the NFL's concussion protocol and won't participate in next week's Pro Bowl Games, according to Marcel Louis-Jacques of ESPN.
Analysis:
The report notes that Tagovailoa, who had been named a first-alternate Pro Bowler, hasn't experienced any setbacks, but the Dolphins are proceeding deliberately with the QB, with his long-term health in mind. Earlier this month, GM Chris Grier indicated that the franchise will approach the 2023 season with Tagovailoa as its starting signal-caller, based on the belief (via doctors the team has spoken to) that Tagovailoa's past concussions won't leave him more prone to head injuries going forward.