Mike Gesicki Shines at NFL Combine

Penn State fans have long known that Mike Gesicki is an absolute physical freak, but it looks like the NFL world is now aware too. Measuring in at 6-foot-5.5, 247 pounds with just over a 6-foot-10 wingspan, Gesicki has the look of NBA combo forward, and not surprisingly, the athleticism to match.

Posting a 41.5-inch vertical and 10’9” broad jump — the best among tight ends at the combine — Gesicki had already raised his stock, but it was his blazing 40-time that might have just moved him into 1st round territory.

You read that correctly — 4.55 (unofficial) 40-yard dash time. And on his second attempt? Yup, 4.55-second run again.

While we’re waiting on the official times of those runs, let’s give some historical context to Gesicki’s numbers. The only tight ends in combine history to run at least a 4.55-second 40 and have a vertical of at least 40 inches?

• Vernon Davis (2006): 4.39 40-yard dash; 42-inch vertical
• Jared Cook (2009): 4.49 40-yard dash; 41-inch vertical
• Dorin Dickerson (2010): 4.40 40-yard dash; 43.5-inch vertical
• Virgil Green (2011): 4.54 40-yard dash; 42.5-inch vertical

That’s rare company as is, but when you consider that Davis (6-foot-3), Dickerson (6-foot-1), and Green (6-foot-3) were all much shorter than Gesicki, it really puts into context just how absurd Gesicki’s numbers are.

Gesicki was hovering around the 2nd-4th round area, but with his performance this weekend, the 2nd round might be his floor. Yeah, he can’t really block, but with his production as a pass-catcher — and now these freak numbers to back it up — it wouldn’t be a surprise for him to jump (ha, get it?) into the 1st round.