Dolphins agree to deal with veteran TE

The contract — which Schefter notes is for two years and has a maximum value of $10M — comes as little surprise. 

Smith visited Miami earlier this week, pointing to an agreement being in the cards. Now, the parties have worked out an arrangement that will see the 28-year-old join a fourth career team.

The Falcons released Smith last month, a move that freed up cap space and gave him a head start on free agency. Atlanta traded for the former third-rounder in part to reunite him with then-head coach Arthur Smith. 

With the latter out of the picture, Smith was allowed to find a new home before the start of free agency. Expectations for him will be relatively high in South Beach.

Smith posted a career high in catches (50) and yards (582) in 2023, adding three touchdowns along the way. Considering the presence of fellow tight end Kyle Pitts and the struggles the team endured under center, those figures will have impressed the Dolphins and any other suitors Smith may have had in the event he remained unsigned through to next week. 

Miami needed someone at the TE spot, and his ability both in the passing game and as a run blocker will be welcomed in Mike McDaniel‘s scheme.

Durham Smythe led the way in terms of production at the position last season (35 catches, 366 yards) on an offense dominated by wideouts Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle in the passing game. 

That duo will no doubt remain a focal point moving forward, but Smith’s skill set could provide a better replacement for former starter Mike Gesicki after he struggled under McDaniel in 2022.

Miami entered Thursday roughly $20M over the cap ceiling, not long before the start of free agency. All teams must be cap-compliant by March 13, and further moves will be needed to reach that point in the coming days (although savings will later come into play given the pending release of cornerback Xavien Howard). 

Smith will add to the Dolphins’ cap sheet in 2024 and 2025, but his addition could be an effective one as the team looks to replicate its offensive success from last season.