Heading into the offseason, the Tennessee Titans will undoubtedly look for an upgrade at the tight end position after the organization received minimal contributions there in 2021.
While Anthony Firkser was a standout in training camp, he failed to take the next step during the season. Further, he, along with Geoff Swaim and MyCole Pruitt, are set to become unrestricted free agents.
While one or more of those three could potentially return in two-tone blue, Tennessee would be wise to look at the free-agent market and/or the 2022 NFL draft for tight end help.
One of the more prominent names set to hit the free-agent market at tight end this offseason is Miami Dolphins tight end Mike Gesicki, who Dolphins beat writer Omar Kelly predicts will end up in Nashville.
Gesicki is going to Tennessee. Remember I said it. https://t.co/spkreEaVHA
— Omar Kelly (@OmarKelly) February 19, 2022
Gesicki, 26, played in all 17 regular-season games last season, including nine starts, hauling in 73 receptions for 780 yards and two scores — and he compiled those numbers despite shaky quarterback play.
In terms of financials, the Penn State product will not come cheap. Spotrac projects Gesicki to fetch a four-year, $44 million contract in free agency.
The Titans are already $7 million over the salary cap, so they would have to clear some cap space to sign him in addition to retaining either Harold Landry, Ben Jones, or both.
The Dolphins have the most salary-cap space in the National Football League entering the offseason, so they can easily get this deal done and then some. It will be more of a matter if Gesicki wants to be on a contending team.
If you recall, Titans head coach Mike Vrabel praised the 6-foot-6 tight end leading up to Tennessee’s Week 17 matchup against the Dolphins.
“He has an incredible catch radius,” Vrabel said of Gesicki, who had four receptions for 51 yards in the Dolphins’ 34-3 loss in Nashville.
PFF's highest-graded TE Mike Gesicki finds the end zonepic.twitter.com/H870u9zzeE
— PFF (@PFF) September 25, 2020
The primary knock on Gesicki is his blocking abilities, or lack thereof. Per Pro Football Focus, he was given grades of 36.6 and 46.1 in pass protection and run-blocking, respectively.
That’s not to say his run blocking couldn’t improve in a different system, but Vrabel has made it known that the primary job of his tight ends is to block.
That said, Gesicki would give quarterback Ryan Tannehill a big target alongside other weapons like A.J. Brown and Julio Jones.
It’s not unrealistic by any means, but the Titans would have to make a few subtractions financially before adding Gesicki.
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