2 Miami Dolphins players that should be extended before Xavien Howard

DAVIE, FL - JULY 27: General Manager Chris Grier of the Miami Dolphins watches the team during the Miami Dolphins Training Camp on July 27, 2019 at the Miami Dolphins training facility in Davie, Florida. (Photo by Joel Auerbach/Getty Images)
DAVIE, FL - JULY 27: General Manager Chris Grier of the Miami Dolphins watches the team during the Miami Dolphins Training Camp on July 27, 2019 at the Miami Dolphins training facility in Davie, Florida. (Photo by Joel Auerbach/Getty Images) /
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Mike Gesicki Miami Dolphins (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
Mike Gesicki Miami Dolphins (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /

The Miami Dolphins may have a top corner in Xavien Howard but they could have a top tight end for the next five years if they extend Mike Gesicki.

Yes, the Miami Dolphins added Hunter Long in the draft and while he may be the sign that Miami doesn’t expect to keep Gesicki beyond this year, ideally, the Dolphins would extend the impending 2022 free agent and continue to build the offense with two high-talent tight ends.

The long-term goal should be Gesicki and Long in a similar offensive system that found success in New England with Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez.

Gesicki has done everything the Dolphins have asked him to do and despite not having a contract beyond this season has not missed a voluntary or mandatory practice session. It is unclear what Gesicki may want in a new deal and some in the media have theorized in might run in the $10 million per season range.

Currently, Gesicki is the 42nd highest-paid TE in 2021 and that falls behind three of his teammates, Cethan Carter, Durham Smythe, and Adam Shaheen.

The top TEs in the NFL, George Kittle, Travis Kelce, Hunter Henry, Jonnu Smith, and Austin Hooper, average between $10 and $15 million per year. It could be argued that Gesicki is not quite at that level yet but he should be by the time his next contract comes due.

In a more realistic version of what his contract should look like, Gesicki should fall into the $8-$9 million per season range with future earnings moving past the $10 million mark in the later years of the contract.