2022 NFL Trade Deadline: Dolphins Should Explore Dealing Gesicki
Analysis 10/26/22
Because Mike McDaniel likes to run the ball, the Miami Dolphins need to have a tight end that is more versatile than Mike Gesicki. That would be the reason the Dolphins might look to move him before the NFL's trade deadline.
Gesicki's not the perfect fit for the scheme McDaniel is using in Miami, but he does have a skill set that would be valuable to other teams and therefore bring back some value to the Dolphins in a trade.
The key to other teams negotiating with the Dolphins in a potential deal for Gesicki is the looming question around his contract. Gesicki is playing the current season on the franchise tag and is set to be an unrestricted free agent in 2023. Will the acquiring team be given permission to negotiate an extension with him before a trade is officially made?
If a contract extension cannot be agreed upon, the Dolphins should be seeking a draft pick in the fifth-round range that has a chance to be higher depending on performance. But if the negotiating team is given permission to seek an extension, the compensation can be upped into the range of a third-round pick, with conditions that could escalate it into the second round.
The acquiring team could feel good about shoring up its tight end position for the future, but it will need to be willing to look at him primarily as a receiver, not as a blocker. If prospective teams are focused on running the ball, Gesicki's not going to be a good fit. But if they're looking for another weapon to make it more difficult for opponents to either cover the tight end or free up wide receivers more, he'd be a great addition.
Best Fit: Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Green Bay Packers