Smith and the Dolphins agreed to terms Thursday on a two-year contract worth up to $10 million, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports. Smith provides Miami with a pass-catching complement to blocking specialist Durham Smythe at the tight end position, giving this offense another layer in the receiving game alongside wideouts Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. Last season with Atlanta, Smith logged a career-best 50-582-3 receiving line on 70 targets, while working alongside Kyle Pitts. Heading into his age-29 season, Smith could be an under the radar fantasy stash due to his speed and potential fit in coach Mike McDaniel's offensive scheme, especially if he's able to establish himself as the Dolphins' clear starting tight end.
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Receiving
Smith and the Dolphins agreed to terms Thursday on a two-year contract worth up to $10 million, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports. Smith provides Miami with a pass-catching complement to blocking specialist Durham Smythe at the tight end position, giving this offense another layer in the receiving game alongside wideouts Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. Last season with Atlanta, Smith logged a career-best 50-582-3 receiving line on 70 targets, while working alongside Kyle Pitts. Heading into his age-29 season, Smith could be an under the radar fantasy stash due to his speed and potential fit in coach Mike McDaniel's offensive scheme, especially if he's able to establish himself as the Dolphins' clear starting tight end.
Smith visited the Dolphins on Tuesday and is negotiating a contract with the team, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports. The Falcons released Smith last week, allowing him to sign with a new team before March 11 when players on expiring contracts can start negotiations. It also means he won't count in the 2025 draft pick compensation process, though the 28-year-old tight end doesn't figure to sign a big enough contract to have a major impact there anyway. Smith would, however, be a major threat to take the starting job away from Durham Smythe, who played 785 snaps last season but was targeted only 43 times (35 catches for 366 yards and no TDs). The addition of a faster TE like Smith might encourage coach Mike McDaniel and QB Tua Tagovailoa to send more targets to the position, though there's not a ton of room for volume when WRs Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle both are healthy.
The Falcons will release Smith, Terrin Waack of the team's official site reports. Per the report, the move, which had been expected, will save the Falcons $6.5 million towards their salary cap. In his lone campaign with Atlanta, the 28-year-old hauled in 50 of his 70 targets for a career-high 582 yards and three TDs in 17 games, while logging action on 58 percent of the team's offensive snaps in 2023. In the wake of Smith's looming departure, Kyle Pitts remains atop the Falcons' tight end depth chart, with John FitzPatrick and Tucker Fisk also under contract for the 2024 season.
Smith is expected to be released by Atlanta, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports. Smith performed adequately for the Falcons in his debut season with the team, as in 2023 he secured 50 of 70 targets for 582 yards and three touchdowns across 17 regular-season appearances. Nonetheless, entering his age-29 season Smith carried a non-guaranteed salary of $6.5 million, with just $2.5 million in dead money, making his release a relatively easy decision. Though Smith was the Falcons' fourth-leading receiver in 2023, that came in part due to former head coach Arthur Smith's tight-end heavy deployment, something that seems likely to change under new offensive coordinator Zac Robinson. Kyle Pitts now looks primed to enter the 2024 campaign as the clear top option leading Atlanta's TE depth chart.
Smith (48 offensive snaps) was on the field more than any of the Falcons' other tight ends, including Kyle Pitts (41). However, the veteran saw just one target, his fewest since the season opener. Head coach Arthur Smith did dial up a trick play for Smith in the red zone Sunday, but it wasn't successful. From Weeks 2-6, Smith caught 25 passes (32 targets) for 282 yards and a touchdown, but since then, he's secured just four passes for 40 yards. Given Smith is still garnering a lot of playing time, he should be on fantasy radars, but at this point, it's difficult to trust any Falcons' skill players on a weekly basis.
Team
Miami Dolphins
Birthdate
8/22/1995 (28)
Status
Active
HT/WT
6'3", 248 lbs
Draft Info
2017: Rd 3; Pk (TEN)
Birthplace
Ocala, FL, USA
Position
TE
College
Florida International
Experience
8th season
Career History
Atlanta Falcons
2023 - 2024
(1 season)
New England Patriots
2021 - 2023
(2 seasons)
Tennessee Titans
2017 - 2021
(4 seasons)
Previous Game
17
Final
48
3
REC
29
YDS
1
TDS
2023 Regular Season Stats
REC
REC YDS
REC TDS
YAC
AVG YDS
50
582
3
357
12
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