Who Should I Start? Mike Gesicki or Eli Raridon

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Week 1 Projections

Fant.
Pts.		 Rush.
Yds.		 Rush
TD		 Rec. Rec.
Yds.		 Rec
TD
6.0 0.0 0.0 2.4 25.1 0.2

Mike Gesicki News

Mike Gesicki Hasn't Done Enough to Become a Redraft Sleeper

Wednesday, August 19, 9:37 AM

Cincinnati Bengals tight end Mike Gesicki had a couple of good moments Tuesday, including a 17-yard catch from Joe Burrow and another third-down grab after Burrow broke the pocket. Nice day, but there still hasn't been much this summer to push Gesicki up redraft boards. He finished 2025 with 28 catches for 307 yards and two touchdowns in 13 games after a pectoral injury cost him four games. Burrow missing nine games didn't help either. The better reference point is 2024, when Gesicki caught 65 passes for 665 yards, but getting back to that volume is the hard part. Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins are going to eat first, Chase Brown will get his work, and Erick All Jr. is back in a deep tight end room. RotoBaller has Gesicki 218th overall in half-PPR. That's late enough to take a shot in deeper drafts, but one good camp practice doesn't suddenly make him a sleeper. He's still outside the group of tight ends fantasy managers should feel any need to chase.

BENCH

Week 1 Projections

Fant.
Pts.		 Rush.
Yds.		 Rush
TD		 Rec. Rec.
Yds.		 Rec
TD
2.0 0.0 0.0 0.9 8.3 0.1

Eli Raridon News

Eli Raridon in Line for "Meaningful" Role as a Rookie

Tuesday, August 18, 5:30 PM

New England Patriots rookie tight end Eli Raridon is "set for a meaningful role" as the team's number two tight end option behind veteran Hunter Henry, according to Chad Graff of The Athletic. A third-round pick out of Notre Dame, Raridon recorded 32 catches for 482 yards across 12 games with the Fighting Irish in 2025. At the time he was drafted, Raridon looked like the third tight end on the Patriots' depth chart. However, a season-ending knee injury for tight end Julian Hill (knee) has pushed Raridon into a more prominent role. While Henry profiles as New England's clear top receiving option at the position, he's entering his age-32 season. Particularly in dynasty formats, Raridon's stock is rising ahead of his rookie year.

Mike Gesicki vs. Eli Raridon

Still trying to decide between Gesicki and Raridon? Check on the latest news to make sure both players are active and healthy. Our PPR projections show that Mike Gesicki is projected to score 6.0 points this week while Eli Raridon is projected to score 2.0 points.