Mark Andrews or Mike Gesicki: Week 10 Start 'Em, Sit 'Em: Fantasy football projections for TEs
Mark Andrews and Mike Gesicki - they were both drafted in the same year and had slightly differing career trajectories before converging at the same situation. One was briefly a focal point of his team's offense before a coaching change drove him out of town, while the other become his team's premier passing target before an injury ended his run.
Both men started 2024 slowly, but each has since found his stride with a multi-touchdown game. But as their current teams prepare to clash, only one of the tight ends will be considered "fantasy elite"; so which one will it be?
Is Mark Andrews a good fantasy pick in Week 10?
One of the reasons why the hip-drop tackle is now illegal is Mark Andrews. The Baltimore Raven's career was seemingly derailed when Logan Wilson broke his leg with that move almost a year ago. Since then, he has scored only 76.9 fantasy points and being challenged by Isaiah Likely for the TE1 spot.
Nevertheless, Mark Andrews' mini-resurgence (scoring 54.9 points between Weeks 6 and 9) has been enough for Sportskeeda to put him at TE10 in its weekly fantasy football rankings. With Isaiah Likely out hurt, he should dominate against a Cincinnati Bengals defense that has allowed 14.88 points against tight ends - a paltry 27th.
Is Mike Gesicki a good fantasy pick in Week 10?
Heading into 2022, Mike Gesicki looked like he would become the greatest tight end in Miami Dolphins history. He had covered at least 700 yards in his first two seasons while becoming a favorite offensive target for Brian Flores.
However, new coach Mike McDaniel sidelined him in favor of trade acquisition Tyreek Hill as "receiver" and veteran Durham Smythe as "tight end." Smythe proved to be more of an old-school blocker than anything. So he left for the divisional rival New England Patriots, only to be somehow even worse.
Now on his third team, Gesicki has taken until approximately halfway through the season to realize his offensive potential, being initially outshone by another old-school veteran blocker in Drew Sample.
He finally broke against the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday, dominating their secondary with 100 yards and two touchdowns on just five catches (worth 24.5 points) to put himself at a greatly-improved TE13 and 75.3 points.
The Ravens' defense has allowed 13.2 points against tight ends so far - 22nd overall, so he should have a good day - especially with Tee Higgins missing yet another game.
Whom should I draft between Mark Andrews and Mike Gesicki?
Ultimately, Sportskeeda's Start/Sit optimizer is siding with Andrews. Even though he's projected to have slightly fewer projected catches, he's also projected to better capitalize on them, with slightly over three yards more and a slightly greater potential for touchdowns.
Overall, the AFC North is a place where tight ends can become offensive difference-makers. And these two men prove it on both the real and virtual fields.