Bedard's Breakdown: What role is Mike Gesicki going to play in the Patriots' offense?

PLAYER STRENGTHS

Overall athletic ability. He's got a really nice, surprising burst up the field, especially from a tight slot position or in line. Definitely a much better matchup against linebackers. ... His catch radius is pretty crazy. He routinely makes one-handed catches, even in traffic, and can contort his body easily in midair. ... Really nice hands. Natural catcher of the ball. Doesn't fight it, although their not all clean. But we're not talking Jonnu Smith trying to catch a flying fish at Pikes Place Market. Tiny little bobbles or juggles — and Gesiciki keeps moving his feet. ... Has a little bit of shake after the catch. Great leaping ability for a guy his height.

WEAKNESSES

Not a physical player. Doesn't love contact, tends to go down on the easier side. Some of his routes later in games lack any juice. Not much of a blocker and will get easily pushed around. ... Dolphins sources are convinced Bill Belichick and Bill O'Brien are going to hate Gesicki due to his lack of physicality. They will also tell you he'll go out of bounds early rather than take a hit. However, I can tell you I saw no evidence of that in the three games I watched. Is he the most physical guy in the world? No. But outside a couple of weak goal-line blocks late in the Bills film below that nearly cost the team a safety, I didn't question his toughness. But he is far from a tough guy.

INJURY HISTORY (via FoxSports.com)

Minimal. Just a few shoulder issues in 2018 and 2020, but nothing major.

WHERE DOES HE FIT?

I would be surprised if he's ever on the line very much other than to go out for a pass. He's strictly a big slot and an H-back. 

FILM ANALYSIS

Vs. Ravens (2nd-highest PFF rated game)

Vs. Jets (3rd-highest)

vs. Bills (worst-rated game)

BOTTOM LINE

Look, Gesicki is all finesse. Never thought I would see the day when the New England Patriots played a tight end who wasn't a threat to block and catch, one who is more suited for flag football, but the times they are a-changing ... apparently. Guessing this was Bill O'Brien's call, and he's just looking for more options in the pass game.

I really like Gesicki down the field. He can move a little bit and will go up and get the ball. He should be a real weapon in the red zone, where the Patriots need all they can get. 

But that's about it. The Dolphins played him behind Patrick Smythe and Hunter Long for a reason. You have to be a run-block/pass route option in that offense, and Gesicki is not that. Smythe is much more explosive as a blocker and getting out on routes. He's like a little George Kittle. Gesicki is a bit more like Darren Waller, without the top-end athletic ability. Gesicki is just a good athlete. Nothing wrong with that, and he will help the Patriots, for sure. It's just he's going to be pretty limited as far as snap counts and certain packages.