TE Mike Gesicki is an unecessary luxury the Jaguars do not need

If tight end Mike Gesicki had been available in free agency earlier this year, he would have been highly coveted. However, the Miami Dolphins slapped him with the franchise tag and prevented him from hitting the open market. They are now reportedly entertaining trade offers but if there’s one team that isn’t in need of his services, it’s the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Doug Kyed of Pro Football Focus recently drew up a list of “potential trade and cut candidates” and says the Phins have shopped Gesicki around. He points out that talks might go nowhere but Miami “has been willing to engage in conversations”.

"The Dolphins, of course, would not cut Gesicki, who’s playing on a fully guaranteed franchise tag this season, but a trade isn’t out of the question. In fact, the Dolphins have “brought up” Gesicki’s name to other teams, league sources told PFF. That doesn’t mean anything will transpire, but Miami has been willing to engage in conversations."

Gesicki is slated to make $10.931 million in 2022 but whatever team is interested in him would need to give him a multi-year contract on top of giving the Dolphins some form of compensation, probably an early-round draft selection.

A second-round draft pick in the 2018 draft, Gesicki has hauled 199 receptions for 2,255 yards with 13 touchdowns over the last four seasons. In 2021, he caught a career-best 73 passes for 780 yards with two touchdowns.

The Jaguars have a solid tight end group, led by Evan Engram

Gesicki has been hardly a factor for the Dolphins this offseason. He’s admitted that he’s still getting acquainted with new head coach Mike McDaniel’s system and his shortcomings as a blocker could also be playing a role in his lack of snaps in practice. This doesn’t mean he’s a bad player. Far from it. Instead, it looks like he might not be a fit in McDaniel’s offense.

Regardless of the reason for Gesicki’s limited involvement, he can play and he could surely help several NFL clubs. However, the Jaguars already signed Evan Engram to a one-year deal in free agency. Also, they have a solid No. 2 tight end in Dan Arnold, who should get a big workload in Doug Pederson’s scheme.

It’s also worth noting that Jacksonville is currently $15 million over the cap, according to Over the Cap, next year, and that’s without taking into account all their potential free agents. They can easily get out of the red if they restructure some contracts and release a few players but trading future assets for Gesicki seems like an unnecessary luxury.

Last but not least, Pederson told the media not long ago that he was pleased with the Jags’ versatile tight end group, so it would be a bit surprising to see them pursue Gesicki or make any significant additions to the unit before the start of the regular season.

Gesicki is a fine player. He deserves to be paid and also be on a team that will best use his skillset. However, the Jaguars aren’t that team, or they shouldn’t be. After all, you should always expect the unexpected when it comes to the NFL but this seems like an extreme longshot.