Miami Dolphins: 3 players who could replace Mike Gesicki in 2023

Miami Dolphins replacements for Mike Gesicki: Durham Smythe & Hunter Long

Why not promote from within?

One of the most underrated players on the entire roster for the Dolphins is Durham Smythe, who was quietly the most reliable target for Tua Tagovailoa last season. No receiver on the entire team had a higher catch percentage (min. 3 rec), and his 8.7 yards per target was well ahead of Gesicki’s mark of 7 flat. Smythe also has a blocking skill set that is far more advanced than that of Gesicki, which gives him more on-field opportunities throughout a game.

And don’t forget about Hunter Long. Well, maybe you should. The Dolphins spent a third-round pick on the Notre Dame product during the 2021 Draft, and the results have not yet come close to matching the capital that was spent. Long was indeed buried on the depth chart during his rookie year, but that was perhaps for good reason. He didn’t do much in camp to vault his name up the depth chart, and he caught just one single pass during the regular season for a total of eight yards. He was active for just seven contests.

But 2022 could be a trial season for Long, and we may see him utilized more, especially if Gesicki begins to fall out of favor with the coaching staff. In fact, it would greatly behoove the franchise if Long is able to have a rapid improvement in his play and production.

Keeping the tight-end search to an in-house process would be the most financially beneficial way to go.