With The First Pick
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2018 NFL Draft: Ranking the top five tight ends

By Maxwell Ogden

GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 30: Tight end Mike Gesicki #88 of the Penn State Nittany Lions runs with the football after a reception against the Washington Huskies during the first half of the Playstation Fiesta Bowl at University of Phoenix Stadium on December 30, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. The Nittany Lions defeated the Huskies 35-28. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 30: Tight end Mike Gesicki #88 of the Penn State Nittany Lions runs with the football after a reception against the Washington Huskies during the first half of the Playstation Fiesta Bowl at University of Phoenix Stadium on December 30, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. The Nittany Lions defeated the Huskies 35-28. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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There’s no tight end in the 2018 NFL Draft who has a higher ceiling than Mike Gesicki. There are inconsistencies that he must work through and skills he must polish, but Gesicki is the most athletic tight end since—with no hyperbole, perhaps ever.

That may sound like an egregious claim, but Gesicki’s physical gifts rank amongst the most impressive in the NFL—whether at tight end or wide receiver.

https://twitter.com/NFL/status/970096045890957314

Clearly, it will require more than size, strength, and athleticism for Gesicki to be successful in the NFL. He’s a matchup nightmare off of physical gifts alone, however, which must at least be acknowledged during the pre-draft process.

Gesicki was also one of the most productive tight ends in the country, recording 57 receptions for 563 yards and nine touchdowns in 2017.

Beyond the numbers, Gesicki gets to his spots on the field and has an almost incomparable catch radius. He isn’t afraid of taking on contact to make a reception, can go up and get passes in traffic, and is a lethal threat after the catch.

Whether or not he’s the next Travis Kelce, Gesicki easily has the highest ceiling of any tight end in this draft class—and a high enough basement to warrant No. 1 status.

Must Read: Ranking the top five wide receivers in the 2018 NFL Draft

The question is: Who will be the first tight end selected in the 2018 NFL Draft?

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