Starter: Mike Gesicki, Miami Dolphins
Mike Gesicki had a great sophomore campaign for the Dolphins showing the potential they saw in him when they selected him in the second round in 2018. Gesicki finished 2019 with 51 receptions for 570 yards and 5 touchdowns. A part of a young trio with Preston Williams and DeVante Parker, Gesicki should be able to find some success as the middle of the field opens up.
Ryan Fitzpatrick had a great rapport with Gesicki and with the journeyman looking like the starter for the Dolphins, they should be able to build on that in 2020. At 6’6″ and 250 pounds, Gesicki has tremendous athleticism and should only get better as he matures. The athletic tight end has been lining up in the slot occasionally creating matchup problems for linebackers or cornerbacks in space in the AFC East.
Mike Gesicki started to look good at the end of 2019.
— Hayden Winks (@HaydenWinks) May 2, 2020
+ TE5 overall (13.8 FP/G) over last 5 games
+ 7.8 targets per game over last 5 games
+ 66% snaps in the slot last year
+ 24yo
+ 97th percentile athlete pic.twitter.com/uH58WgCql5
Backup: Chris Herndon, New York Jets
A forgotten name, Chris Herndon missed all but one game in 2019, dealing with a few injuries including a season ending hamstring injury. In his rookie season in 2018 though Herndon was very impressive catching 39 passes for 502 yards and 4 touchdowns. Herndon and Darnold will hope they can regain that chemistry that led to a strong rookie season for Herndon as a feature in the Jets passing game.