Miami Dolphins make decision on franchise tag for tight end Mike Gesicki

The Miami Dolphins opted to use a franchise tag on tight end Mike Gesicki on Tuesday morning ahead of the deadline, according to Adam Schefter. It is the team’s first franchise tag since Jarvis Landry in 2018.

Gesicki would have become an unrestricted free agent if the Dolphins didn’t either come to a contract agreement with the former Penn State star or use the franchise tag. The free agency window begins on March 16 at the start of the new league year.

Based on the NFL’s current tag amount for tight ends, keeping Gesicki will cost Miami $10.931 million in 2022. The amount hits the team’s cap immediately.

Gesicki, the Dolphins’ second-round pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, was a top candidate to receive a tag this offseason. He signed a four-year, $6 million rookie deal, which has now run out. He’s 26 years old and set career-highs this season for Miami.

Gesicki posted 780 yards on 73 receptions, finishing second on the team behind Jaylen Waddle. He also caught two touchdowns. Overall, he has 2,255 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns over four seasons with the Dolphins.

The Dolphins are under new leadership with head coach Mike McDaniels now making the calls. Miami has almost 20 soon-to-be free agents to consider deals with ahead of March 16.

With Gesicki now officially coming back, Tua Tagovailoa knows at least a couple players who’ll be amongst his top targets next season.

Top Offensive Franchise Tag Candidates, per Spotrac:

• Orlando Brown, OL, Kansas City Chiefs ($16.5M)
• Cam Robinson, OL, Jacksonville Jaguars ($16.5M)
• Mike Gesicki, TE, Miami Dolphins ($11M)
• Dalton Schultz, TE, Dallas Cowboys ($11M)
• Davante Adams, WR, Green Bay Packers ($20.1M)
• Mike Williams, WR, Los Angeles Chargers ($18.5M)

These are the projected values of the franchise tag for each offensive position.

• Quarterback: $29.8M
• Running back: $9.5M
• Wide receiver: $18.5M
• Tight end: $11M
• Offensive lineman: $16.5M
• Defensive tackle: $17M
• Defensive end: $17.8M
• Linebacker: $18.7M
• Cornerback: $17.3M
• Safety: $13M
• Kicker/Punter: $5M