The Miami Dolphins found a steal in Round 1 of the 2018 NFL Draft. One day later, Miami again found a player with superstar potential later than expected.
The Miami Dolphins have been one of the early winners of the 2018 NFL Draft. Whether or not the players they’ve selected through two rounds pan out, Miami has managed to find All-Pro talent at both No. 11 and No. 42 overall.
After selecting Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick at No. 11 overall, the Dolphins found yet another steal in Round 2 with Penn State Nittany Lions tight end Mike Gesicki.
Fitzpatrick was a projected top-10 pick who had the potential to go as early as the top five. He ended up sliding to No. 11, due in some part to questions about his true position, but Miami has been enabled to explore his upside.
That’s an opportunity that few expected Miami to receive at No. 11 overall, as Fitzpatrick was viewed by many as the second-best defensive prospect in the 2018 NFL Draft.
Minkah Fitzpatrick is the 3rd player in college football history to win the Jim Thorpe Award and the Chuck Bednarik Award. The two previous players to win both awards are 9-time Pro Bowler Charles Woodson and 7- time Pro Bowler Patrick Peterson.
— James Palmer (@JamesPalmerTV) April 27, 2018
Thankfully for the Dolphins, the all-world potential that FItzpatrick possesses could soon be on display in Miami.
In Round 2, the Dolphins managed to strike again. Rather than shying away from concerns that could’ve driven the organization away from an All-Pro ceiling, Miami opted to take a chance on a prospect who has otherworldly physical gifts.
With the 42nd overall selection in the 2018 NFL Draft, the Dolphins selected Gesicki—the No. 1 tight end in this class.
The @MiamiDolphins select @mikegesicki with the 42nd pick in the second round! #FinsUp #NFLDraft#WeAre pic.twitter.com/b3hnATlhvG
— Penn State Football (@PennStateFball) April 27, 2018
Gesicki may be a polarizing prospect due to his inconsistency as a blocker, but he’s a generational athlete with intriguing ball skills.
Gesicki stands at just under 6’6″ and 247 pounds with massive measurements in wingspan and arm length, and above-average hand size. He posted a blazing mark of 4.54 seconds in the 40-yard dash, an explosive 41.5 vertical, and a solid 22 reps in the bench press.
Throw in Gesicki’s elite spacial quickness and he has all of the tools to be a matchup nightmare—at either wide receiver or tight end.
.@PennStateFball TE Mike Gesicki at the #NFLCombine:
— NFL (@NFL) March 4, 2018
Taller than @calvinjohnsonjr.
Stronger than @DPENN70.
Faster than @AB84.
Jumped higher than @OBJ_3.
😱😱😱 pic.twitter.com/HODGnx74pd
Simply put: When a prospect runs like Antonio Brown, jumps like Odell Beckham Jr., and is built like Calvin Johnson, they’re a player to watch.
Beyond the physical gifts, Gesicki has good hands and the necessary toughness to make plays over the middle. He’ll fight through contact for extra yardage and produced nine receiving touchdowns in 2017 to exhibit his skill in the red zone.
Regardless of who lines up under center for the Dolphins in 2018, Gesicki should help Adam Gase diversify the passing attack.
Must Read: Ranking the top five tight ends in the 2018 NFL Draft
With Minkah FItzpatrick and Mike Gesicki, the Miami Dolphins have found consecutive steals at the 2018 NFL Draft.