The first six weeks of the 2021 NFL season have been trying ones for the Miami Dolphins. Inconsistency and injuries have plagued nearly every positional group as the Dolphins have floundered their way to a 1-5 record.
As the weeks pass and the problems pile up for Brian Flores in Miami, the offense is struggling to get going. Despite that, at least one playmaker is putting it all together and on pace for a career year: fourth-year tight end Mike Gesicki.
After showing intermittent flashes of dominance throughout his first three seasons, Gesicki is firing on all cylinders in 2021. After being held without a catch in the Dolphins’ season-opening loss to the New England Patriots, Gesicki’s snap count, production, and impact have all trended majorly upward since.
In fact, Gesicki tallied his second career 100-yard receiving game in the Dolphins’ Week 6 London loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars—just three weeks after recording a career-high 10 catches versus the Las Vegas Raiders.
Perhaps the most impressive aspect of Gesicki’s 2021 performance to-date is his compatibility with regardless of who is under center. Gesicki has shown a great rapport with both Tua Tagovailoa and Jacoby Brissett in limited time with both quarterbacks.
An Amazing 4-Week Stretch Despite QB Uncertainty, WR Injuries
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Over the past four weeks, Mike Gesicki has been one of the only reliable pieces within the Dolphins’ offense. Despite the team tallying an 0-4 record from Weeks 2-6, Gesicki was nothing short of a force-of-nature during that stretch. On the surface, the numbers themselves are impressive: 27 catches (34 targets) for 301 yards and a touchdown. But it is the fact that Gesicki is putting up those numbers even while defenses are game-planning specifically to limit the tight end that stands out.
The injuries to receivers DeVante Parker, Preston Williams, and Will Fuller have taken away the majority of the Dolphins’ offensive firepower. Opposing defenses are well aware of that. With only Jaylen Waddle remaining to stretch the field, the Dolphins have been forced to rely much more heavily on their intermediate passing game. This is where Gesicki has shined.
Despite often being forced to operate in a crowded middle of the field, Gesicki has proven precisely why he was the 42nd overall pick in the 2018 Draft. He has consistently shown an ability to make contested catches. He routinely outmuscles linebackers and uses his hands to go and get catches. Yet, he is also being athletic and fleet-footed enough to beat corners to his routes even in man coverage. Basically, Gesicki has been a savior of a safety-valve for the playmaker-starved Dolphins.
Is any of this a surprise, though?
Gesicki’s Potential Was Foreshadowed by His Combine Performance
At the 2018 NFL Combine, Mike Gesicki did one heck of a job of building his hype. Just a few of the numbers from that combine are included below.
- 6’5 ½ (Taller than Calvin Johnson)
- 22 Bench Press Reps (More than Jadeveon Clowney)
- 4.54 40-Yard Dash (Faster than Antonio Brown)
- 41.5” Vertical Leap (Higher than Odell Beckham)
Basically, Mike Gesicki showed the world before he was drafted in 2018 that he had all the tools to become an elite tight end. The only question was whether he would find himself in an offensive scheme that would allow him to thrive. After three up-and-down seasons, Gesicki looks to finally be thriving for the Dolphins this season—as a direct result of his skills, but also out of sheer necessity.
If the Dolphins really want to continue to allow Gesicki to spread his playmaking wings, the team would be smart to continue to run as many two-TE sets as possible. This allows Durham Smythe to pick up extended blocking duties, while expanding the route-tree possibilities for Gesicki along the way. This will continue to create a variety of looks and opportunities for his unique skill-set. Because let’s face it, Gesicki is too talented and athletic to not take chances with his versatility when it comes to offensive play-calling.
Is Gesicki One of the League’s Best Tight Ends?
Most fans outside of Miami might give you an interesting look if you referred to Mike Gesicki as a possible top-5 tight end. For good reason too, right? Well, if you take a look at the numbers, perhaps it isn’t too far fetched. Here is how Gesicki ranks among tight ends in various categories so far this season:
- Receptions- 30 (6th)
- Receiving Yards- 342 (5th)
- Targets- 42 (5th)
- Receiving Touchdowns- 1 (22nd)
- First Downs- 18 (3rd)
- 20+ Yard Receptions- 8 (1st)
Those numbers help illustrate Gesicki’s ability to make big plays–both yardage wise and in terms of getting first downs. While the single touchdown is a little disappointing through six games, when you consider that the Dolphins have just seven passing touchdowns so far this season, it makes a bit more sense.
Perhaps more impressive than Gesicki’s eight receptions of 20 yards or more is his 18 catches that went for first downs. Those 18 first downs by Gesicki represent 25% of ALL the Dolphins first downs all season. Opposing defenses know exactly where the Dolphins are looking to squeeze the ball in, and Gesicki is still finding room for success. So, while Gesicki isn’t finding the end-zone this season, he is still responsible for many of the Dolphins’ biggest plays and most important catches. The next time somebody points out his lack of touchdowns as a reason for not being an elite tight end, feel free to reference those numbers.
The Reality of the Situation
Mike Gesicki may not be in the discussion for “Best tight end in the NFL” yet, and that is fine. But his performance this season, coupled with his advanced physical tools, make one hell of an argument for him as the “most-slept-on tight end in the NFL”.
If Gesicki continues to play at this level, there will be tons of people who stop sleeping on him very soon– just as Dolphins fans everywhere are hoping to awaken from this nightmare start to the season soon as well.