The free agency period has yet to begin and the Miami Dolphins have made their first signing of the 2024 offseason. According to Adam Schefter, the Dolphins agreed with tight end Jonnu Smith on a 2-year deal worth up to $10 million. The move doesn’t come as much of a surprise, as it was reported around 48 hours ago that Smith and the team were in contract negotiations. Dolphins general manager Chris Grier has been working hard the last couple of weeks to clear cap space. The Dolphins began the offseason over $50 million above the cap. After releasing linebacker Jerome Baker, defensive end Emmanuel Ogbah and announcing the release of cornerback Xavien Howard on June 1st, Grier has cleared around $42 million in cap space for the 2024 season. These cuts have come in preparation for signings such as Smith and possibly a huge extension for quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.
Smith’s addition to Mike McDaniel’s offense fills a need for a true pass-catching tight end. Smith has accumulated 219 catches for 2423 yards and 20 touchdowns in seven seasons in the NFL. He was drafted by the Tennessee Titans in 2017 in the third round and has also played for the New England Patriots and Atlanta Falcons since then.
In two seasons as the Dolphins head coach, McDaniel has yet to prioritize the use of his tight ends in the passing game. Smith’s signing may indicate a change in his game plan for the 2024 season. The 28-year-old athletic tight end appears to be a perfect complement to current Dolphins starter Durham Smythe. Smythe is expected to continue to be used primarily as a blocker. However, at 6’3 and 250 lbs, Jonnu Smith has the ability to bully defenders and have a real red zone presence that the Dolphins have lacked. He has also shown the capability to make difficult catches look easy such as this one in the 2019 playoffs.
Speed is one trait that Mike McDaniel loves for his weapons to possess. Smith has displayed this trait throughout his career and perhaps most notably last season on this 60-yard touchdown. Smith hit 21.15 mph on this play which was the third-fastest speed by a tight end as a ball carrier since Next Gen Stats started tracking in 2016. His ability to extend plays after the catch is surely one of the reasons Grier and McDaniel wanted to add him to the team.
The Miami Dolphins acquired an athletic tight end on a team-friendly deal that gives Tagavailoa yet another weapon to use. Smith should help the offense not be so reliant on Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle and give them another reliable red zone option. The Dolphins are off to a solid start to free agency and the 2024 offseason.
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Great article! I think Jonnu is going to help them on offense; hopefully spread it out more to give some extra space for the Cheetah.