Jonnu Smith Displays Versatility in Dolphins Debut, Offering Glimpse of His Role in McDaniel’s Offense.
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Tight end wasn’t a featured position through the first two seasons of the Mike McDaniel era but the Miami Dolphins changed their tune with the addition of former Atlanta Falcons and Tennessee Titans tight end Jonnu Smith.
Saturday’s 20-13 win over the Washington Commanders was his first appearance in a Dolphins uniform. He wasted little time demonstrating his versatility as a receiver and blocker. The eighth-year tight end caught all four of his targets for 24 yards while also staying in as a blocker for five of his 15 total snaps in the first half.
“It was cool to have him out there,” McDaniel said following the game. “I think he brings physicality and a guy that really enjoys having the football in his hands and can do some really cool stuff with that.
“I think there’s times when your offense is clicking that defenses will really just try to defend space, and really the field is expanded so to speak with where the defenders are defending in those situations, having fast, aggressive playmakers with the ball in their hands. They can take advantage of those types of things so I think he’s a great addition to our team, and I think there’s a multitude of ways that you can use players, and he’s no exception.”
Smith didn’t gash the Commanders with yards after the catch, instead helping the offense overcome a rushing attack that generated just 19 yards in the first half. Washington’s defense was stout under first-year head coach Dan Quinn, but Smith showed how he can thrive as another answer in McDaniel’s offense, taking the ball on a jet-motion sweep and then moving the sticks on a 10-yard completion from Skylar Thompson late in the second quarter.
Smith’s role in McDaniel’s offense could become increasingly pivotal through the twists and turns of a 17-game regular season. With his ability to contribute both as a reliable blocker and a versatile receiving option, he’s just scratching the surface of what he can bring to the table as a member of the Dolphins.
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“He’s used in multiple ways, as you guys have seen,” quarterback Tua Tagovailoa said to the media Saturday night. “We had given him a jet sweep. He blocks. We look at him sort of as a YAC monster. He catches the ball, and he can get some yards after the catch. He’s very versatile in what we can do with him.
“We’re just slowly, slowly finding things to do with guys like ‘Nu.’”
