Dolphins hosting free agent tight end with the right traits to assume Jonnu Smith’s role in 2025 offense

According to a report from Jordan Schultz, the Dolphins are hosting Noah Fant this afternoon on a visit. Fant was released by the Seattle Seahawks earlier this month as a cap casualty, although the Seahawks did not elaborate on any additional variables in play. A former first-round draft choice out of the 2019 NFL Draft by the Denver Broncos, Fant was traded to Seattle as a part of the Russell Wilson trade in 2022 and has played the last three seasons with the Seahawks. He signed a two-year extension with the team in 2024 and was a productive talent — but also an expensive one amid a youth-movement in Seattle's tight end room.

The Dolphins are undergoing a youth movement of their own but the team has shown an increased willingness to address needs with short-term signings in the past week. Fant would be the latest example and provide the team with another option to fulfill Jonnu Smith's vacant opportunities within the passing offense. Miami's first option was to pursue and acquire Darren Waller, who was retired in 2024. The timing of Fant's release is unfortunate, as it set the stage for Miami to make the Waller move before knowing that Fant would be on the market.

But that hasn't stopped the Dolphins from kicking the tires on this front. And, based on the rest of Miami's tight ends, the team may still have the best selling point for Fant if he's interested in a one-year contract and opportunity to bet on himself. After all, Smith bet on himself as a big-time run after threat option and posted career numbers as a dump & run option for Miami in 2024.

Waller is a bit more of a field-stretcher and seam buster. He's also on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list as he works back into football shape. Fant is still just 27 years old and boasts an explosive athleticism profile — he ran a 4.50s 40-yard dash, jumped 39.5" inches in the vertical jump and ran a 6.81s 3-cone drill at the 2019 NFL Combine.

Fant also, conveniently enough, averaged the same yards after catch per reception (5.9) as Jonnu Smith did last season. That mark was tied for seventh in the NFL among all NFL tight ends with at least 40 targets on the season. 36 tight ends qualified. Fant ranked sixth in the NFL out of 36 qualifying tight ends in the same statistic in 2023.

The budget that Fant is seeking may go a long way in deciding whether or not the Dolphins can make a competitive offer. But given Waller's slow start to camp and the team's minimal financial commitment there, Fant should be given a long, hard look by the Dolphins. If they're serious about having something resembling Jonnu Smith at the position, they'd be well served to sign Fant with or without Waller in their ranks.