Miami Dolphins TE Mike Gesicki dealing with learning curve

Miami Dolphins rookie tight end Mike Gesicki is struggling as he makes the transition from the college to professional game.

Gesicki, Miami's second-round pick (No. 42 overall) in the second round of the 2018 NFL Draft, has "looked lost at times" during organized team activities, the Miami Herald reported.

The Dolphins have high hopes for Gesicki, who had 57 receptions for nine touchdowns -- both career highs -- during his senior season at Penn State.

Miami released starting tight end Julius Thomas in March, leaving veterans A.J. Derby and MarQueis Gray standing in the path of Gesicki, who has received most of his reps with the backups during workouts.

"Everything in this league is earned," Dolphins offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains told the newspaper. "You've got to earn it. You've got to go out there and do it. Coach (Adam) Gase is a believer in working. You guys know him. He's a grinder. He came up a unique, hard, long way and he believes that everyone should go that route."

Gesecki was considered a potential matchup nightmare after lighting up the NFL Combine. The 6-foot-5, 247-pound Gesicki clocked a 4.54 in the 40-yard dash while posting a 41.5-inch vertical, 10-9 broad jump, 6.76 three-cone drill and 4.10 short shuttle.

To that end, Loggains acknowledged that the Dolphins are still trying to get a handle on how best to utilize Gesicki, who was drafted seven spots ahead of Dallas Goedert, widely considered to be the best tight end in the draft.

"Mike is a little bit unique," said Loggains. "We've got to find out exactly what he can and can't do and what he can and can't handle early. As the season goes and the offseason goes and training camp, his package will expand and his routes will expand as we found out what he can and can't do."