Dolphins’ Gesicki a ‘prime candidate’ for franchise tag. Ogbah likely to become free agent
Dolphins tight end Mike Gesicki is a “prime candidate” to receive the franchise tag ahead of the 4 p.m. Tuesday deadline, ESPN reported Monday.
The non-exclusive franchise tag costs $10.9 million for tight ends, the NFL announced Monday, and would keep Gesicki in Miami for at least one more year while the two sides continue to work on a long-term contract.
Gesicki, 26, set career highs for receptions (73) and (780) in the 2021 season and is regarded as one of the better pass-catching tight ends in the NFL. Despite his less-than-stellar reputation as a blocker, both head coach Mike McDaniel and general manager Chris Grier said at last week’s NFL Scouting Combine they were confident in his fit in the team’s new offensive scheme, which asks tight ends to frequently block.
ESPN’s report comes after Drew Rosenhaus, the agent for defensive end Emmanuel Ogbah, told WSVN-7 Sunday he doesn’t expect the Dolphins to use the tag on Ogbah.
“I’ve had discussions with the Dolphins and the franchise tag hasn’t come up,” he said. “So, I think it’s safe to say that that’s not something that they’re planning on doing. It sounds like the more realistic scenario is Emmanuel making it to free agency and us evaluating our options, including the Dolphins.
“But he’ll keep all of his options open and if things work out with the Dolphins, I’m sure he’d be excited to continue his career here.”
The franchise tag is $17.8 million for defensive ends in 2022. Ogbah, 28, originally signed a two-year deal worth $15 million in 2020. He matched his career high with nine sacks in 2021 and led all defensive linemen in pass deflections (12).
Grier told reporters at the combine “all options are open,” including the tag, as he continued talks with the representatives for Gesicki and Ogbah.
“The coaching staff coming in, we’re just giving them the opportunity to look at the players and evaluate the guys we potentially might tag, but I think we have to leave all options on the table for us. That could be a potential move for us,” he said.
ESPN also reported one of the top pending free agent offensive tackles, the Kansas City Chiefs’ Orlando Brown Jr., is receiving the franchise tag. Other tackles the Dolphins could pursue this offseason include the New Orleans Saints’ Terron Armstead, the New England Patriots’ Trent Brown and the Jacksonville Jaguars’ Cam Robinson.
This story was originally published March 7, 2022 at 8:43 AM.
