Miami Dolphins tight end Mike Gesicki Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Dolphins place franchise tag on TE Mike Gesicki

By Victor Barbosa | Last updated 3/8/22

The Miami Dolphins are bringing back their starting tight end for a fifth season.

According to multiple reports , the Dolphins have placed the franchise tag on Mike Gesicki, who Miami drafted in the second round of the 2018 NFL Draft. Gesicki is coming off of a 2021 season where he set career highs in targets (112), receptions (73) and receiving yards (780).

Among all Dolphins players, Gesicki trailed only explosive rookie Jaylen Waddle in all three categories last season. Per ESPN's Marcel Louis-Jacques, the 26-year-old is behind just six other tight ends in receptions (199) since he entered the league in 2018.

Both ESPN's Field Yates and NFL Network's Cameron Wolfe pointed out Gesicki's versatility on the field as well.

Mike Gesicki snaps by alignment in 2021:

Backfield: 24
Slot: 402
Wide: 218
Tight: 140
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) March 8, 2022

Mike Gesicki played more snaps out of the slot than any other TE in 2021 as he set career highs in yards/catches. He considers himself a big slot WR & rarely does much in-line blocking. He’ll go down as TE franchise tag # though unless he files & wins a grievance. https://t.co/IrdvCEGtOL
— Cameron Wolfe (@CameronWolfe) March 8, 2022

Louis-Jacques described the financial ramifications of Gesicki's franchise tag.

"Gesicki was set to become an unrestricted free agent this offseason, with Spotrac estimating his market value at $44 million over four years," he wrote. "The Dolphins and Gesicki will have until July 15 to agree to a long-term deal. If no deal is reached, Gesicki will play the 2022 season on the franchise tender, which is worth $10.931 million for tight ends, according to a memo obtained by ESPN."

After posting 22 catches and 202 scoreless yards as a rookie, Gesicki broke out for 51 receptions, 570 yards and five touchdowns in 2019. He recorded 53 catches for 703 receiving yards and a career-high six touchdowns during the 2020 season.

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