The Dolphins managed to scratch one major offseason need off the list before either free agency or the draft.
The Miami Dolphins and free agent tight end Jonnu Smith reached an agreement on a two-year, $10 million deal, as announced by the league on Thursday.
The move is one that should help address a major issue with the Dolphins’ offense: a big target for Tua Tagovailoa in the red zone. Between Jaylen Waddle, Tua Tagovailoa, and Braxton Berrios, Miami didn’t have a wideout among their top three that could fight for tough catches in the end zone.
Miami hoped to have that with WR Chase Claypool, who the acquired by trade back in October, but the big wideout barely saw the field on offense.
The Dolphins’ tight ends were equally underwhelming in 2023, which has also been the case for all of Mike McDaniel’s tenure with the team. No tight end has reached 375 yards receiving in a season in McDaniel’s two years as head coach.
However, that could be about to change. As Next Gen Stats points out, Smith has been particularly effective when used in screens, gaining the third most yards above expected on screen passes in the entire league.
As such, with Smith’s skills with the ball in his hands and McDaniel’s unique skill in drawing up plays, it stands to reason Smith could find himself with the ball in his hands often as the Dolphins get into the red zone next fall.
It’s just one more talented skill position player that opposing defensive coordinators will have to account for when preparing for the Dolphins’ offense.