Tight End Turbulence in Miami: Pro Bowl Pedigree Isn’t Enough — Dolphins Eye Reinforcements Around Jonnu Smith
The Miami Dolphins had a Pro Bowl tight end on their roster last season — and yet, as the new season looms, there’s a restless energy around the position. Jonnu Smith, the newest name in the Dolphins’ tight end room, brings versatility and athleticism, but make no mistake: Miami isn’t done.
They want more.
They need more.
And that alone tells you everything about the uncertainty still lingering in South Florida.
Despite the accolades and the Pro Bowl nod last year, the Dolphins’ tight end group wasn’t feared. It was functional — not fearsome. That’s a problem in an offense built on speed, mismatch creation, and explosive plays. Mike McDaniel’s system thrives on versatility, yet at times last season, the tight end position felt more like an afterthought than a weapon.
Enter Jonnu Smith, a former Falcon and Patriot, known more for his untapped potential than sustained dominance. Smith is a yards-after-catch threat with the frame to be dangerous in the red zone. But here’s the twist — even with Smith in the fold and a Pro Bowl season in the rearview, the Dolphins are still actively exploring the market.
Why? Because mediocrity isn’t enough in a division where defenses are sharpening their teeth.
Miami’s front office knows the truth: if this offense wants to evolve from flashy to frightening, it needs a tight end group that can do it all — block like linemen, run routes like receivers, and stretch defenses vertically while chipping edge rushers. Right now, the room is promising… but incomplete.
Sources close to the team suggest Miami has been quietly evaluating draft options and remaining free agents — looking for either a developmental stud or a veteran enforcer to round out the room. Names haven’t leaked, but the strategy is clear: diversify and strengthen.
McDaniel’s offense, at its peak, should make life hell for linebackers. Misdirection. Motion. Speed. Chaos. But that engine misfires if the tight end isn’t a central gear. Defenses have begun adapting — staying light, playing fast, cheating toward the edges. Without a true mismatch threat in the middle of the field, Miami risks becoming predictable.
Last season’s Pro Bowl performance was a testament to execution — but not necessarily dominance. And the addition of Smith is more of a reshuffling than a crowning. The Dolphins aren’t just looking for depth. They’re looking for difference-makers.
It’s not panic — it’s planning. A playoff-caliber team doesn’t rest on what it was — it builds toward what it must become. And for Miami, that means refusing to be content with “good enough” at tight end.
So don’t be surprised if a new name walks through the facility doors in the coming weeks. Because the Dolphins aren’t just chasing a divisional crown — they’re chasing a championship. And that chase, they believe, might just run straight through the tight end room.
