NFL Rumors: Dolphins' Mike Gesicki Could File Grievance over Franchise Tag Position

Mike Gesicki's position designation could become a topic of debate after the Miami Dolphins gave him the franchise tag Tuesday.

Per ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, several people around the NFL believe Gesicki could file a grievance over the tag to argue he should be valued as a wide receiver instead of a tight end.

The way Gesicki was used under former Dolphins head coach Brian Flores would certainly help his argument to be listed as a wide receiver.

Per Pro Football Focus' Ian Hartitz, Gesicki lined up as an inline tight end for only 13 snaps during the 2021 season:

Fowler noted Gesicki's 3.7 percent pass-block rate on quarterback dropbacks was the fourth-lowest among tight ends.

The difference in franchise-tag value for tight ends and wide receivers is nearly $7.5 million ($10.931 million to $18.419 million).

Grievances over position designations for the franchise and transition tags have happened before. Shaquil Barrett received a $1.4 million settlement along with a four-year, $72 million extension from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last March.

Barrett filed his grievance in 2020 because the NFL did not differentiate between outside and inside linebackers. He plays outside linebacker as a pass-rusher in defensive coordinator Todd Bowles' 3-4 scheme.

The closest parallel to Gesicki's situation was between Jimmy Graham and the New Orleans Saints in 2014, when the NFL Players Association filed a grievance on Graham's behalf over his designation.

Graham argued he should be considered a wide receiver, but the Saints listed him as a tight end. The union argued he lined up as a wide receiver more than a tight end during the 2013 season.

Per ESPN (h/t CBS Sports' Joel Corry), Graham played 45 percent of his snaps from the slot, 33 percent as an inline tight end and 22 percent out wide.

An arbitrator ruled Graham was close enough to the tackle box for a majority of plays to disqualify him from being considered a wide receiver.

Gesicki, however, was seemingly used as a receiver significantly more than as a tight end. The 26-year-old finished second on the team in targets (112), receptions (73) and receiving yards (780) last season.