The Miami Dolphins and tight end Jonnu Smith agreed upon a two-year, $10 million contract on Thursday according to NFL.com's Ian Rapoport. Smith was released by the Atlanta Falcons earlier in the offseason but wasn't looking for work for very long as he will now join an explosive Miami offense. The tight end position has not been heavily targeted since Mike McDaniel took over as the team's head coach but the Dolphins invested a significant amount of money to bring him to town, so Smith should open the year as the team's clear-cut starter. He can be tentatively considered a low-end TE2 heading into 2024.
Free-agent tight end Jonnu Smith visited with the Miami Dolphins on Tuesday, according to a source. The two sides are said to be in contract negotiations. Smith is able to get an early start on free agency after the Atlanta Falcons released the 28-year-old last week. In lots of two-tight end sets under former Falcons head coach Arthur Smith in 2023, Smith set career-highs in his first and only season in Atlanta in receptions (50), targets (70) and receiving yards (582) while scoring three touchdowns in 17 games (six starts). The Dolphins haven't really used tight ends all that much in head coach Mike McDaniels' offense and already have Durham Smythe around, so Smith would be hard-pressed to come close to matching last year's totals if he signs in Miami.
The Atlanta Falcons are releasing tight end Jonnu Smith on Tuesday, according to a source. Smith will be on the open market this offseason after catching 50 passes for 532 yards and three touchdowns on 70 targets in 17 games (six starts) in his lone season in Atlanta in 2023. The Falcons traded for Smith before the 2023 season, but that was with the old coaching staff. Now that a new coaching staff is in place, more specifically with new offensive coordinator Zac Robinson running the offense, the Falcons aren't going to rely as much on two tight-end sets in 2024, making the 28-year-old Smith and his $6.5 million non-guaranteed salary expendable. Smith will be hard-pressed to match his career-highs in 2024 with another team.
The Athletic's Josh Kendall lists Atlanta Falcons veteran tight end Jonnu Smith as a potential cut candidate this offseason. Smith was the team's fourth-leading receiver in 2023, but the Falcons could face some offensive upheaval this offseason with a new coaching staff coming in. Former head coach Arthur Smith kept a tight end-heavy roster, but new offensive coordinator Zac Robinson comes from the Los Angeles Rams' 11-personnel-heavy offense, meaning that Kyle Pitts may be the only tight end the team needs now. The Rams' backup tight end, Davis Allen, caught just 10 passes last year. Smith had 50 receptions a year ago, but cutting him this offseason would give the Falcons $6.5 million more salary cap room. If Smith remains in Atlanta, fantasy managers should expect a serious drop in production.
Jonnu Smith Snags Third Touchdown In Season Finale
Atlanta Falcons tight end Jonnu Smith caught all three of his targets for 29 yards and a touchdown in the Week 18 loss to the New Orleans Saints. He ended the solid campaign on a high note and set career-highs in receptions (50) and receiving yards (582) this season. The Falcons have a potential out in his contract this offseason, but there will be a new head coach calling the shots. If Smith sticks around, he could continue to be a thorn in the side of Kyle Pitts. If he lands somewhere as a clear lead tight end, he could return to having TE1 upside in 2024.
Atlanta Falcons tight end Jonnu Smith is coming off his best performance of the season. Last week, Smith hauled in five of his six targets for 100 yards and a touchdown in the loss to the Minnesota Vikings. Smith has been a surprisingly strong contributor to the Falcons offense this season. He has 34 receptions, 422 yards, and two touchdowns heading into the Week 10 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals. A defense that normally struggles, but has defended well against the tight end position. Despite that, Smith should still be able to do some damage this week. He should be considered a playable TE2 for this upcoming Week 10 matchup.
Atlanta Falcons tight end Jonnu Smith put together a strong performance versus the Minnesota Vikings in Week 9. The big tight end hauled in five of his six targets for 100 yards and a touchdown in the loss. A majority of his yardage came on a 61-yard catch and run for a score in the second half. At this point, Smith is looking like a better fantasy option than Kyle Pitts in this offense. Fantasy managers should consider Smith a playable TE2 for the Week 10 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals.
Atlanta Falcons tight end Jonnu Smith (ankle) practiced in full the last two days and was removed from Friday's final Week 6 injury report. He will suit up and play on Sunday against the visiting Washington Commanders. Smith has become a TE2 streamer in recent weeks, even though Kyle Pitts isn't hurt. The 28-year-old didn't see a single target in the season opener but has caught 21 of 27 targets for 246 yards in four games since and has overshadowed the disappointing Pitts for the most part. Smith played eight more offensive snaps than Pitts in last week's win over the Houston Texans and isn't going away. He has yet to find the end zone in 2023, but Smith has low-end TE1 upside in Week 6 in a great matchup against Washington's defense.
Atlanta Falcons tight end Jonnu Smith (ankle) was a full participant in practice on Thursday. It comes a day after Smith was listed as a limited participant in Wednesday's practice. It sets the 28-year-old up to be active for the Week 6 game this Sunday against the visiting Washington Commanders. Smith has gotten involved in the offense as the Falcons look to improve their passing attack alongside teammate Kyle Pitts in recent weeks and has surprisingly caught 17 of his 21 passes for 199 yards from Weeks 3 through 5. He's had at least five receptions in each of those games and has become a sneaky TE2 streamer in deeper leagues. However, the Commanders have allowed the fourth-fewest half-PPR fantasy points per game to the position.
Atlanta Falcons tight end Jonnu Smith (ankle) finds himself on the Week 6 injury report with an ankle injury that kept him limited in practice on Wednesday. Smith's status is worth watching as Atlanta heads into a Week 6 tilt against the Washington Commanders at home on Sunday, but as long as he doesn't suffer a setback, he should be good to go. Believe it or not, the 28-year-old has put up better numbers than fellow tight end Kyle Pitts through the first five games of 2023. Smith heads into Week 6 with 21 receptions for 246 yards and no touchdowns on 27 targets. However, as long as Pitts remains healthy, Smith will be more of a touchdown-dependent TE2 for fantasy managers.
