The NFL is an offensive game and offenses are ever-evolving systems. For the past few seasons the Miami Dolphins offense has consistently been one of the leagues best. Head Coach Mike McDaniel has routinely been one of the most innovative minds in the game, and he constantly tweaks his schemes to help his offense perform as efficiently as possible.
He’s helped his all-world wide receiver duo maximize their abilities and has helped QB Tua Tagovailoa become one of the leagues top and most accomplished passers. The Dolphins offense finished number one in football in 2023 (first in passing, sixth in rushing) an improvement from their sixth ranked offense in 2022. But there’s one position where they’d like to see a jump in production.
Early Free Agent Signing Could Represent Hidden Gem For Dolphins’ Offense
The Tight End Position Has Lacked Impact Production For Years
Plain and simple, elite tight ends are hard to come by. Travis Kelce, George Kittle and Mark Andrews are some of the leagues top targets at the position and huge parts of their teams offensive game plans and in the case of Kelce, the focal point. For the Dolphins, it’s been a position that’s flown under the radar for one reason or another. While Miami’s success passing the ball has been well documented, it’s been the wide receivers doing the lions share of the lifting. Last year they ranked dead last in total targets to tight ends, that’s on an offense that still finished first overall.
Miami hasn’t had a tight end eclipse 400 yards receiving since McDaniel’s been at the helm. The most production they’ve seen at the position was when former tight Mike Gesicki acted as the teams de facto number two receiving threat back in 2021, when he caught 73 passes for 780 yards. While it’s eye opening how little they’ve gotten out of the position recently, the efficiency of their offense means there’s a major opportunity on the table for the leagues number one attack to get even better.
Enter Jonnu Smith
Back in March, before the free agent frenzy kicked off, Miami signed tight end Jonnu Smith. He spent last year in Atlanta, where he posted a career-high 582 receiving yards on 50 receptions. It was the breakout season many have been waiting for and he now spear heads a tight end room that has its fair share of talent as he joins Durham Smythe, Julian Hill and Jody Fortson Jr.
Last season, Smith was third in the NFL in yards after the catch (YAC) per reception for tight ends, tying San Francisco’s George Kittle and trailing Cleveland’s David Njoku. He represents a weapon in more ways than just as a typical tight end, however, as he plays all over the field. Highlighting his versatility, something Head Coach Mike McDaniel covets. Last year, he took snaps in the slot, out wide, and in the backfield.
How will Mike McDaniel use Jonnu Smith in the @MiamiDolphins offense?
One way Smith impacted the game last season was on screen passes, finishing the season with the 3rd-most YAC over expected on screens (+71).#FinsUp https://t.co/n4Y6nDpI7j pic.twitter.com/CyOp2ovNgg
— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) March 7, 2024
Jonnu Smith Sleeper Fantasy Potential
Pro Football focus recently ranked Jonnu Smith as a potential sleeper for the upcoming season. A year ago, he was 17th in receiving yards per game for his position, 11th in yards run per route, and averaged 1.77 yards per target, which is good for the sixth spot at his position. He’s now catching passes from Tagovailoa, who averages 8.2 yards per attempt the last two seasons and just last year led the league in passing. Playing with two of the leagues top wide receivers, Smith could get lost by defenses, providing ample opportunity for him to feast all over the field.
With the addition of Smith, Miami finally has the potential to see high-end production from the tight end position. It’s now up to McDaniel and the Dolphins’ offensive staff to utilize his skill set to its full potential. If McDaniel’s track record with Tagovailoa, Hill and Waddle are any indicators of what what’s to come, Smith could be in store for his best season yet.
Main Image: Sam Navarro – USA Today Sports
