Who Should I Start? Mo Alie-Cox or Mike Gesicki

Friday, February 23, 2:30 PM

The Athletic's James Boyd writes that Indianapolis Colts tight end Mo Alie-Cox is an easy target if the team wishes to create more salary cap space this offseason. He's entering the final year of a three-year, $17.6 million contract extension that he signed in 2022. Alie-Cox is due the last $5.9 million of that in 2024, but none of it is guaranteed. The 30-year-old is the team's best blocking tight end and has recorded at least three touchdowns in each of the last three seasons, but he's not getting any younger and is unlikely to develop into a true No. 1 pass-catching tight end at this point of his career. Both Will Mallory and third-year tight end Jelani Woods, who missed all of 2023 with hamstring issues, give the Colts more upside at the position amid their current youth movement. Alie-Cox hasn't been much more than a low-upside, touchdown-dependent TE2 option for fantasy managers in deep leagues.

Tuesday, March 12, 11:18 AM

Veteran free-agent tight end Mike Gesicki is joining the Cincinnati Bengals on a one-year deal worth up to $3.25 million. The 2018 second-round pick has compiled 260 receptions on 415 targets for 2,861 yards and 20 touchdowns across five seasons with the Miami Dolphins and one season with the New England Patriots. The Bengals have not had an overly productive tight end in the Joe Burrow era, but if receiver Tee Higgins is granted the trade he requested on Monday, Gesicki could become a top-three option in a potent passing game. The Bengals also added tight end Drew Sample in free agency on Monday. At the very least, Gesicki should be in a strong offense with touchdown opportunities in the red zone as a touchdown-dependent TE2 in fantasy.