2018 Prospect Preview: Penn State TE Mike Gesicki lives to go deep

STATE COLLEGE, PA - OCTOBER 08: Mike Gesicki #88 of the Penn State Nittany Lions runs with the ball after a reception… — STATE COLLEGE, PA - OCTOBER 08: Mike Gesicki #88 of the Penn State Nittany Lions runs with the ball after a reception against the Maryland Terrapins during the game at Beaver Stadium on October 8, 2016 in State College, Pennsylvania. Penn State defeated Maryland 38-14. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)

By Austin Gayle
Posted Aug 28, 2017 12:47 pm EDT

Penn State senior TE Mike Gesicki will often beat defenders on short and intermediate routes, but he is arguably at his best when targeted deep down the field. He led all draft-eligible tight ends with seven catches for 301 yards on deep passes (20-plus yards) in 2016.
Largely affected by his deep-catching prowess, Gesicki averaged 2.20 yards per route run (YPRR) last season, which ranked No. 4 in the 2018 tight end class.
Gesicki totaled 282 yards after the catch, the most of any returning Big Ten tight end in 2016.

To round out his game, Gesicki will need to improve as a blocker. He had the third-lowest percentage of positively-graded run blocks among draft-eligible tight ends last season.

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