The Patriots traded away one tight end, Jonnu Smith, and signed another in Mike Gesicki, who inks a one-year, $9 million contract. He’ll remain in the AFC East after his stint in Miami, but his value should improve in New England.
A top-10 tight end in 2021, Gesicki saw his fantasy point total decrease by more than 65 points under head coach Mike McDaniel. In fact, he finished 23rd in PPR and was mostly touchdown dependent (he scored just five times last season). The veteran also saw his offensive snaps drop from 826 in 2021 to just 474 in 2022.
Gesicki can be an asset in fantasy football, however, which he proved the previous year with 73 catches, 780 yards and 165 points. Entering his age-28 season, all he needs is a fresh start and an offense that will utilize him as a pass catcher.
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That should be the case in New England, as the Patriots lack for playmakers. The team did add JuJu Smith-Schuster as a free agent too, but Gesicki should be one of Mac Jones’ top options when the team throws the football. More of a wideout than a tight end, Gesicki should be the main pass catcher at tight end ahead of Hunter Henry. The presence of Henry does cap Gesicki’s statistical upside, though.
In all, I like Gesicki as a late-round No. 2 fantasy tight end who could become a viable matchup-based starter if the Patriots utilize his pass-catching abilities.
