NFL Draft Profile: Mike Gesicki

Penn State Tight End Mike Gesicki is ranked as one of the top tight ends in the 2018 NFL Draft.

We’re approaching three weeks until the NFL Draft in Arlington, Texas is underway. Penn State has the most talent in the draft that they’ve had in quiet some time. One of these players is star Tight End Mike Gesicki, so let’s break him down as a prospect.

Gesicki has come a long way since the moment he stepped into practice for the first time as a Nittany Lion. Although he was the sixth best tight end recruit in the nation according to 247sports.com, former Penn State Tight End Coach John Donovan said Gesicki didn’t know how to get into a three-point stance at one of his first practices.

Gesicki got off to a rough start to his career, as he only recorded 24 catches for 229 yards in his first two seasons combined. In his sophomore year, he had 13 drops, something that was a major issue for him.

Starting in 2016, Mike Gesicki did a complete 180. In 2016 and 2017, Mike Gesicki didn’t drop  a single ball. Combine that with ridiculous athleticism at 6’6, 250 Ibs. and you’re going to get one of the best tight ends in the country.

In the 2016 and 2017 seasons, Gesicki combined for 105 receptions, 1,242 yards, and 14 touchdowns, helping to lead the Nittany Lions to a Big Ten Championship win and a Fiesta Bowl win.

Here’s one of the best plays Gesicki made in his Penn State career, a 33 yard touchdown catch in the first quarter of the Big Ten Championship:

Also an exceptional high school volleyball and basketball player, Mike Gesicki showed off his one of a kind athleticism at this year’s NFL Combine. He ran a 4.54 second 40 yard dash, 4.1 second 20 yard shuttle, as well as a 41.5 inch vertical leap, and 10’9″ broad jump. All of these ranked the best out of all tight ends in the combine.

Gesicki continued to show off his athleticism after the combine, as he broke twitter with this video of him dunking in a Penn State gym:

While Gesicki measures off the charts catching the football and athletically, his blocking, or lack there of, has been a cause of concern for some NFL scouts. Fortunately for Gesicki, many NFL teams carry a tight end specifically for blocking.

As an NFL player, I see him as a Zach Ertz/Jimmy Graham type of player, but his production will all depend on what team he goes to.

Next: Penn State Early Position Preview: Linebacker

It should be interesting come draft night because Mike Gesicki may sneak into the back end of the first round. If he doesn’t, expect him to be drafted in round two.