National outlet hits nail on the head regarding Miami Dolphins' most improved player in 2024
Miami Dolphins general manager Chris Grier has gotten a lot of grief during an underwhelming 8-9 season in 2024. The Dolphins' offensive line was a disaster, and the backup QB options fizzled in key moments with Tua Tagovailoa missing 6 games. Those were contributing factors as to why the big plays in the passing game […]
Miami Dolphins general manager Chris Grier has gotten a lot of grief during an underwhelming 8-9 season in 2024. The Dolphins' offensive line was a disaster, and the backup QB options fizzled in key moments with Tua Tagovailoa missing 6 games. Those were contributing factors as to why the big plays in the passing game from 2023 went on the side of a milk carton.
However, one move that Grier made turned out to be pure brilliance, and it's one that went relatively under the radar during the offseason with the signing of veteran TE Jonnu Smith.
The former Titan, Patriot, and Falcon had a career renaissance in Miami in 2024, such that Pro Football Focus tabbed him as their most improved player of the year for the Dolphins.
PFF had this to say about Smith:
After a disappointing two years in New England and a brief dalliance with the Falcons in 2023, Jonnu Smith finally found his calling with the Dolphins offense in 2024. Smith caught a career-high 88 passes for 884 yards and eight touchdowns with the Dolphins, earning a career-high 84.0 receiving grade, the fifth-highest among tight ends.
Smith was mainly used as an underneath weapon in the offense, his average depth of target was just 5.0 yards, the fifth-lowest among all tight ends, but he was able to flash his athleticism and speed with the ball in his hands, as he averaged 5.9 yards after the catch. The former third-round pick led the Dolphins offense in receiving touchdowns and passes, becoming a feature of a struggling offense that needed some juice.
It's hard to figure out where the Dolphins would have been in 2024 without Smith on their roster. The 8-year veteran posted career highs in catches (88) and yards (884) while matching a career best with 8 touchdowns. He led the team in catches and finished second on the roster by 75 yards to Tyreek Hill. He set a Dolphins franchise record for tight ends in both catches and yards.
Smith indeed was able to add a new element to Miami's passing attack with the short screen game, which Smith helped turn into a significant part of the Dolphins' passing attack. With more attention over the top to Tyreek Hill and the Dolphins' woeful offensive line unable to generate a significant push in the run game, McDaniel was able to incorporate a short, quick passing attack with Smith and De'Von Achane often featured, and it worked to sustain drives and keep the Dolphins in games.
Miami will surely look to take steps to improve their deep passing game in 2025, but they'll have at least one more year with Smith in South Florida, as he's under contract through next season. And as he showed last year, he's someone that McDaniel can count on to be a big part of what the Dolphins hope is a quick and significant turnaround on the offensive side of the ball.
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