GESICKI’S GROWTH RARE BRIGHT SPOT
DOLPHINS
As the Miami Dolphins’ season winds down, and tensions continue to rise within the organization based on the impressive performances of former players and struggles by some of their own players, one recent draft pick is having a solid season.
Dolphins tight end Mike Gesicki may be overshadowed by the success of receiver DeVante Parker, but Gesicki has made significant improvement during his second season.
Heading into Sunday’s home finale against the Cincinnati Bengals (1-13), Gesicki ranks fifth among all AFC tight ends with 41 catches for 454 yards and two touchdowns.
“It’s been a process, but that’s been my whole career so far,” said Gesicki, who has been heavily criticized since being Miami’s second-round pick in 2018.
“I’m just trying to improve and get better each and every day. I know it sounds cliché, but it’s just the approach I’m taking. I’m just staying patient and making the most of my opportunities when they come.”
Gesicki has been one of the lone bright spots this season as offensive coordinator Chad O’Shea has utilized him in different ways than he was used as a rookie under former coach Adam Gase.
Gesicki is lining up less as an in-line blocking tight end and more like a “move” tight end — based on matchups where he is getting more opportunities to run routes up the seam, in the slot and as an X-receiver on the outside in the new offensive scheme.
“I think the coaches have done a good job of putting people in position to be successful,” Gesicki said.
At 6-6 and 250 pounds, Gesicki is running routes with the intention of using his size as an advantage over smaller defensive backs in the secondary.
As a result, Gesicki has nearly doubled his offensive production from his rookie season, when he had just 22 catches for 202 yards and no touchdowns.
Gesicki has also benefited from playing with veteran
“He’s one of the best teammates I’ve been around, so it’s super easy to get along with him and play with him. It’s been great,” Gesicki said.
“He has great anticipation. He knows when things are going to happen before they happen. He obviously has a ton of experience, so to be able to play with him has been great for me and helped me get better.”
Several of Gesicki’s former teammates have excelled since leaving the Dolphins.
Safety Minkah Fitzpatrick and left tackle Laremy Tunsil, two former firstround picks who were traded earlier in the season, reached the Pro Bowl with the Pittsburgh Steelers and Houston Texans, respectively.
Quarterback Ryan Tannehill, who was traded during the offseason, is having his best NFL season with the Tennessee Titans. Former running back Kenyan Drake has had a successful stint with the Arizona Cardinals since being traded at the NFL deadline.
Aside from Parker, who is having the best season of his career with 59 catches for 954 yards and eight touchdowns, several of his teammates have struggled.
Former first-round defensive ends Charles Harris, Miami’s selection in 2017, and Taco Charlton, who was acquired after being cut by the Dallas Cowboys, have been healthy scratches the last two games.
Rookie offensive lineman Michael Deiter, Miami’s third-round pick, was benched after starting the first 12 games. Fellow lineman, sixth-round pick Isaiah Prince, was cut earlier this month.
As recent Dolphins draft picks will continue to be scrutinized heading into the 2020 draft, Gesicki hopes he will continue to improve to carve out a greater role on the team.
“I just need to continue to stick with my process, and continue to move forward and prove that I can be a consistent player on Sundays,” Gesicki said, “and hopefully be a piece moving forward for this organization.” quarterback Ryan
Fitzpatrick.