Analysis

Gesicki rebounded from a lackluster Week 1 performance to provide faithful managers with a strong receiving line against a tough defensive unit. The newly-signed tight end could wind up being a great fit as an auxiliary option for superstar QB Joe Burrow as this offense continues to progress following a tumultuous offseason. Gesicki remains a mid-range option in fantasy heading into a matchup against the Commanders on Monday Night Football.

Analysis

Gesicki played the second-most offensive snaps (18) of any Bengals tight end, behind only Drew Sample, who finished the contest with 27 snaps. He did, however, pace the position group in targets. Even so, the fact that the Bengals appear content to take a committee approach at tight end -- Erick All and Tanner Hudson also played 12 and nine snaps, respectively -- will likely limit the fantasy upside of Gesicki and all other members of the position group.

Analysis

Gesicki missed some practice reps last week due to tightness, but he was cleared to suit up for a handful of plays during Cincinnati's preseason opener. He didn't record any stats during the exhibition matchup, but that means little in such a small sample. Gesicki is competing to solidify himself as the clear top pass-catching option in Cincinnati's tight end room, and his next chance to showcase his talents in preseason action will come Saturday on the road against Chicago.

Analysis

Gesicki has reportedly been building some positive chemistry with new quarterback Joe Burrow at training camp, but it sounds like the tight end could be a candidate to be held out of Saturday's preseason opener against the Buccaneers, if Cincinnati's starters do suit up. Though Gesicki is coming off back-to-back seasons in which he failed to tally 400 receiving yards, there's reason to be optimistic that his athleticism sets up well for a comeback in Cincinnati's passing game, and that will depend on the 28-year-old staying healthy and truly establishing himself as the No. 1 option in the Bengals' tight end room.

Analysis

It sounds like the tight end is getting a lot of first-team reps early in training camp, which wasn't a sure thing after he had only 244 yards for the Patriots last season and then got only $240,000 guaranteed this spring on his one-year, $2.5 million contract with the Bengals. It's backup money by most standards, yet enough to make Gesicki a starting candidate in a TE room where the other veteran options are Drew Sample and Tanner Hudson. The Bengals also have two rookie draft picks, fourth-rounder Erick All (knee) and sixth-rounder Tanner McLachlan, but Gesicki is shaping up as an early favorite to lead the team's tight ends in targets.