The Miami Dolphins experienced seismic changes throughout the summer of free agency. Keystone players like defensive tackle Christian Wilkins and cornerback Xavien Howard left for new homes while familiar names inked short-term deals. Some of them have Miami roots or connections to the city. One of these players is tight end Jonnu Smith; a Florida International University product.
The Dolphins 2024 training camp will include fierce competition among position groups. Specifically, the position near the offensive end will bring more interest than others. Returning tight ends Durham Smythe, Tanner Conner, and Julian Hill look to keep themselves on the roster with three new faces in the room.
Dolphins Training Camp Position Preview: Tight End
The Battle for the First String
The average span for a tight end in the NFL is 3.7 years, according to World Metrics, though Smith has proved this stat wrong as he enters his eighth season in the league. The 6-foot-3-inch veteran joined his fourth different team when he signed a two-year, $10 million deal with Miami on March 8.
Smith recently came off a productive 2023 season with the Atlanta Falcons. The 28-year-old caught 50 passes and collected 582 receiving yards. Both numbers are career highs for Smith. A majority of these yards came after the catch — a realm that the Dolphins led the NFL in 2023. The tight end finished with the third-most YAC over expected on screen routes in the NFL with +71, according to Next Gen Stats.
Smith’s style of play on the receiving end proves he can fit well on the Dolphins, but that doesn’t mean he’ll take over the first-string spot on day one. Smythe is poised to make the starting job must-watch television. The tight end hailing from Notre Dame has only started to grasp the top of the depth chart.
Picked 123rd overall by Miami in the 2018 NFL Draft, Smythe developed behind Penn State tight end Mike Gesicki. Gesicki, the Dolphins’ second-round selection of the same draft class, quickly took over the starting job early in his career with Miami. 2023 was the first season that Smythe was deemed the first-string tight end.
The seven-year veteran last season averaged 10.46 yards per reception. Smythe received 35 passes and garnered 366 receiving yards. The 6-foot-6-inch tight end was a blocking force that aided the offensive line when he didn’t run routes. Famously, Smythe played all 67 offensive snaps in the Dolphins’ 36-34 season-opening victory on the road against the Los Angeles Chargers to open the year. Smythe’s play as a starter in 2023 can be an advantage for him.
The Rest of the Pack, Fortson Jr. Potential Favorite
Besides Smith and Smythe, the room turns foggy. Tight ends Hayden Rucci, Jody Fortson Jr., Connor, and Hill will be in a heated battle for the potential third-string spot. Only Hill out of these four has played in a regular season for Miami. The 23-year-old signed with the Dolphins as an undrafted college free agent in 2023. Hill ended last season with six receptions and 48 receiving yards through 15 games.
Rucci is the only Dolphins rookie tight end in training camp. The 247-pound tight end signed as an undrafted free agent. Rucci played five years at Wisconsin — he redshirted his freshman year in 2019. The former Badger was a heavy block-first end who caught 17 receptions throughout 36 games in his collegiate career.
Fortson Jr. is a four-year NFL veteran and spent the last three seasons on the Kansas City Chiefs. The 28-year-old tight end doubled his stats in 2022 after his rookie season. Fortson Jr. played in 13 games and had 108 receiving yards off of nine catches and two touchdowns. A shoulder sidelined him for the entire 2023 season. The Chiefs placed him on injured reserve following a surgery. He will be ready for camp. Out of all of the other four tight ends, Fortson Jr.’s involvement on a contender makes him a valuable asset. Miami throughout the offseason signed proven, veteran guys. Fortson — still in his fourth year — can bring some experience and add to the Dolphins’ short passing game.
Connor is another story of NFL undrafted free agents finding homes through work ethic. The 6-foot-3-inch tight end from Idaho State signed onto the team in 2022. He appeared in 13 games in his rookie year but only hasn’t been an active contributor on offense. Connor has yet to record a single catch, fumble, or any offensive stat in his NFL career.
With a track and field background that played wide receiver in college, Connor could transition to special teams if he makes the 2024 roster. In reality, Fortson Jr. has the best opportunity to overthrow Hill to take the third-string role. Only injury has clipped his time on the field. All tight ends will have their chances when Miami opens training camp at the Baptist Health Training Facility on July 30.
Main Photo: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
