New Miami Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel took the podium at the NFL scouting combine on Wednesday and, for the first time, handled an array of offseason personnel and roster questions that a head coach is responsible for answering.

McDaniel offered his take on impending free agents in tight end Mike Gesicki and defensive end Emmanuel Ogbah while also updating where he and Pro Bowl cornerback Xavien Howard stand since McDaniel joined the organization, as Howard is likely to come forward with concerns about his contract this offseason.

Gesicki’s situation is complex for a few reasons, beginning with questions over how he can fit in McDaniel’s offense. While Gesicki had 73 receptions for 780 yards in 2021, he’s not an effective blocker and wasn’t asked to block much in recent seasons with the Dolphins. McDaniel, however, expressed no qualms about Gesicki in that aspect of his game.

“I think there’s multiple ways to use players that have skill sets that can help you do things offensively,” McDaniel said. “We’ve had tight ends in our history that have been featured pass receivers and we’ve had featured blockers. On both ends of the system, they are expected and will do both things, majoring or minoring in one or the other, depending on their skill sets.

“I have no problem, no hesitation or no concern of Mike being able to contribute as a blocker and will use him the way it’s most appropriate for him, as well we’ll do in the pass game, really.”

So, at least it’s known McDaniel feels he can utilize Gesicki’s abilities in an offense where outside-zone running is featured. That means blocking at the tight end position is pivotal, as tight ends coach Jon Embree, who came over from working with McDaniel with the 49ers, has noted.

The other key factor in play is how much it will cost the Dolphins, eating into what is projected to be league-leading cap space entering free agency.

The only way the Dolphins can assure to keep Gesicki out of the open market is to place the franchise tag on him. The tag will allow them to hold on to Gesicki or Ogbah for another season. It could get complicated with Gesicki as, given that he has lined up in the slot or out wide far more than as a traditional in-line tight end, he can possibly file a grievance appealing to the NFL that he deserves the receiver designation. The franchise tag for a receiver will be worth roughly $7.5 million more.

McDaniel also acknowledges there are variables in play for the Dolphins regarding Ogbah, the defense’s sack leader (nine) and master of batting passes at the line of scrimmage.

“As confident as one can be with multiple variables that you can’t control,” McDaniel said of the likelihood of being able to keep the 28-year-old pass rusher.

“I’m excited about the guy, I’m excited about the opportunity. I know we want him. We’re going to do our best to get him, and it’s the same thing you have to do any time you have situations such as these. You have to be able to adjust if you’re unable to keep him, but our hope is that that is not the case.”

The star player that is already under contract but that the Dolphins will likely need to prioritize in appeasing this offseason is Howard.

Howard is likely to come back to the Dolphins with concerns about his contract after doing the same last offseason, reaching the point where he requested a trade before getting incentives added for 2021 in a restructured deal.

Early on, McDaniel said he has been in contact with the Dolphins’ three-time Pro Bowler and one-time first-team All-Pro cornerback.

“We’ve had several great conversations, on the phone and in person,” McDaniel said. “I’m excited to coach the guy.”

Howard, in 2021, had five interceptions, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and a pair of defensive touchdowns. McDaniel was also asked about his stance on a potential contract renegotiation with Howard, but with it being the last question of his session, he made sure to fulfill the Rich Eisen Challenge where the NFL Network host asks coaches to squeeze in as many cliché answers as possible.

“It is what it is,” McDaniel said in the comical cliché rally he went on that drew a high five from Eisen. “Me personally, I don’t have a crystal ball, but really, the only guys I can talk about are the players that are here today.”

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