After the 2022 season, where he was a captain at Michigan while earning his general studies degree, he transferred to Iowa and led the team in receiving yards with 299 despite missing the final seven games with a knee injury. He showed off that speed, as he averaged 14.2 yards per catch and had three touchdowns.
The Bengals believe they could have grabbed this guy even earlier and like his versatility and experience at two programs that produce a lot of NFL players. Bengals offensive coordinator Dan Bettcher envisions lining up double tight ends as well himself.
“(The slot) can be 12, and he can be the only tight end on the field at 11. He has experience in wing sets, in multiple tight end sets,” Beecher said. “He's a guy who can play on the move, a guy who can play at the point of attack. He's really versatile.”
In the last 18 hours, the Bengals drafted Michigan's all-time offensive leader and Michigan's defensive leader in tackle Kris Jenkins.
“It's a big deal. That means something,” Beecher said. “I come from a program like this to get that recognition from the people there. His teammates and his peers. We're always looking to add players who have football character and fit in.”
Everyone joins a tight room with Gesicki and two other incumbents, Drew Sample, who just signed a three-year extension, and Tanner Hudson.
“Alcohol enthusiast. Twitter ninja. Tv lover. Falls down a lot. Hipster-friendly coffee geek.”