Mike Gesicki makes an appearance for the Miami Dolphins

The Miami Dolphins wanted to see more out of tight end Mike Gesicki and on Thursday night they got a taste of what the former second-round pick might be able to bring to the Dolphins.

Mike Gesicki has been dogged by fans since he was drafted before Dallas Goedert in the 2018 NFL Draft. He didn’t do much to prove his detractors wrong in 2018 but then again, Adam Gase didn’t do anything to help his cause. On Thursday, Dolphins fans got a taste of what Gesicki could bring to Miami.

Gesicki was targeted three times in Thursday nights pre-season game and he caught all three passes for 59 yards. His longest catch was a 29-yard reception from Ryan Fitzpatrick on what would be a touchdown drive.

Overall, Gesicki looked more natural in the offense and he was able to get separation from defenders. He tracked the ball well and was able to use his body to take hits and create positive yards.

While Gesicki had a good game, Nick O’Leary looks to have held on to the TE one spot with another good game. O’Leary finished the game with two receptions on three targets for 29 yards but it was a bruising shoulder dip that knocked a Jaguars’ defender over that had the crowd riled up.

Miami has some tough decisions to make at tight end. Gesicki and O’Leary will make the roster but the Dolphins will have to make a decision on Durham Smythe, Clive Walford, and Dwayne Allen. Allen knows the system that Miami is running and is a great blocking tight end when healthy and Smythe was drafted last year so should get another season to mature. That would leave veteran Walford on the outs if the Dolphins go with four tight ends.

Final roster cuts will be made a week from today.