However, the Giants only have $5.3 million dollars in cap space, according to Over the Cap, so they couldn’t absorb Gesicki’s franchise tag hit without trading another contract back to Miami.
Gesicki would be an upgrade for a team like the Texans too. Their starter is Brevin Jordan, who was a fifth-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. Houston has just more than $10 million, according to Over the Cap, so they too would have to send a pick and a player back to Miami.
It also should be noted that the Texans already tried to acquire a Dolphins tight end this summer by trading for Adam Shaheen, though the deal fell through when he failed his physical with them.
Because those teams with limited cap space would have to send a player back to Miami, they would likely offer lower draft pick compensation, making them less appealing partners for the Dolphins.
The Remaining Contenders
After filtering out those teams, there are some that make a little bit of sense but would have their own issues to address.
The L.A. Chargers have the cap space, and Gesicki profiles as a receiving upgrade over Gerald Everett, but they also have Donald Parham. Parham operates as the team’s “big receiver” already, and they are paying him just $895,000 this season for the same skill set Gesicki would give them.
The Cowboys are another team that’s been floated as a potential landing spot. They have the cap space and an aggressive front office, but they are already paying Dalton Schultz on the tight end franchise tag this season.
A contending team like the New Orleans Saints has the cap space to acquire Gesicki for this season, and he would be an upgrade over Adam Trautman. However, it’s important to consider the Saints already are over the cap for 2023 and probably couldn’t sign Gesicki to a long-term contract.
The last team worth mentioning is the Panthers. They have the cap space, available reps, and the need for a pass-catching tight end. Matt Rhule is on the clock to start winning games, so upgrading with Gesicki makes sense.
But they are a little short on draft capital thanks to trades at the quarterback position. They’re missing their 2023 third-round and sixth-round picks. They might not be inclined to deplete their resources even more for Gesicki.
The Dolphins also could look for a veteran player instead of a draft pick (or picks) for Gesicki, and have clear needs along the offensive line and at cornerback.
Any team could look at Gesicki and see a talented enough receiver that they throw caution to the wind. However, given the number of hurdles they’d have to jump over this close to the start of the season, it doesn’t seem likely the Dolphins will have a lot of suitors.