Who Should I Start? Jonnu Smith or Mike Gesicki

Sunday, August 31, 3:42 PM

Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Jonnu Smith is reunited with offensive coordinator Arthur Smith for a third time, a partnership that has historically produced fantasy-relevant results. Smith said of his OC: "We've had a lot of success together. He will continue to move that needle, bring the best out of you, and demand the best from you. It's why we get along so well." Last year with the Miami Dolphins, Smith posted the best season of his career, with 88 catches for 884 yards and eight touchdowns. However, in his previous stint with Arthur Smith in Atlanta, he caught 50 passes for 582 yards and three touchdowns, which was his prior best. While the Steelers have other talented pass-catchers, including tight end Pat Freiermuth, Smith's offense has historically used multiple tight-end formations more than any other team. RotoBaller currently ranks the 30-year-old as a mid-range TE2 (ranked TE20) with potential for increased production due to his familiarity with the system. Smith's history with the offense and a strong preseason make him a solid late-round tight end target and a potential starter if needed.

Wednesday, August 20, 3:51 PM

Cincinnati Bengals tight ends Mike Gesicki (hamstring) and Drew Sample (undisclosed) are considered day-to-day and could play in the team's preseason finale on Saturday against the Indianapolis Colts if they are needed, according to The Athletic's Paul Dehner Jr. We'd be surprised if Gesicki actually played this weekend, but he should be just fine for the Week 1 regular-season opener against the division-rival Cleveland Browns in the first week of September. Noah Fant could take some looks away from Gesicki in two-tight end sets in 2025, but the full expectation is that Gesicki will remain the team's No. 1 pass-catcher at the position. The 29-year-old had 65 catches for 665 yards and only two touchdowns in 17 games in his first year in Cincinnati and should be viewed as a low-end TE2 target in an offense with a elite 1-2 receiver punch in Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins.