Jonnu Smith Is the Third Option Tua Has Been Looking For
Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa was the 2023 NFL passing yards leader. Yet, there is a knock on the recently extended signal-caller that he can’t quite dodge yet: His ability to get through his progressions. The question is whether it’s because he’s a two-read quarterback, or if his personnel dictated that he be a two-read quarterback.
The Dolphins boast perhaps the best wide receiver tandem in the league. On one side of the field is Tyreek Hill, the NFL’s No. 1 ranked player, and on the other is the dynamic and speedy Jaylen Waddle. In fairness to Tua, if there was ever a time to have two reads, it’s with those guys. The duo would up accounting for a staggering 51% of the Dolphins’ total targets last season.
One would think having two massive threats would open up the rest of Miami’s offensive options, but critics have honed on Tua’s deficiency at dissecting defenses and progressing beyond his second option. Many believe this struggle to identify a third option led to Tua’s lack of week-to-week reliability.
Last year, Hill had 171 targets and Waddle registered 104. Of Miami’s returning wideouts from last season, third place was Braxton Berrios with just 33. Berrios played in 16 games, meaning he averaged just 2.06 targets per game. River Cracraft is also returning to Miami after getting 12 targets in 10 games.
This issue doesn’t just apply to the wide receivers, either. Outside the wideout group, the third most-targeted “option” for Tua last season was tight end Durham Smythe. His 43 targets, 35 receptions, and 366 all ranked third on Miami in 2023. Interestingly enough, Smythe and the Dolphins’ tight end group were all unable to find the end zone last season.
Aside from the Big 2, no returning Dolphins’ WR had multiple touchdown receptions in 2023. Hill had 13, Waddle four, and running backs De’Von Achane and Raheem Mostert each caught three passes for scores. Former Miami receiver Cedrick Wilson Jr. was the only Dolphins wideout outside of Hill and Waddle with more than one touchdown reception (He had three). Just two other receivers total caught scores from Tagovailoa at all last season.
Hill and Waddle make having depth at receiver a luxury, but Miami identified the need for a viable third target for Tua this offseason. Miami signed veteran free agent Odell Beckham Jr., though he may not be fully ready for Week 1. They also drafted a pair of late-round wideouts in Malik Washington and Tahj Washington.
Miami’s most intriguing upgrade comes in the tight end room, with Jonnu Smith, who possesses a more dynamic pass-catching skill set than Smythe. While Smythe is a more in-line tight end, Smith can line up all over the field. Whether in standard positioning, split out as a receiver, or even in the backfield, Smith will be utilized often and in creative ways within Mike McDaniel’s offense.
Smith adds to the offense by being elite at gaining yards after the catch. Over his career, he is right up there among the best at the position in this metric, averaging 7.56 yards after the catch. This is very similar to George Kittle’s average of 7.21 since 2018. Smith’s proximity to Tagovailoa in his routes, and even on quick plays like sweep touch passes, as displayed against the Washington Commanders, could mean Tua may have just found his third read.
Tagovailoa is known for getting rid of the ball quickly and throwing to spots where his speedy receivers can get to the ball, and now Smith is bringing a safety-valve aspect to the Dolphins. Should Hill and Waddle be blanketed, Tua should be very confident in Smith’s ability to take a four or five-yard dump pass and turn it into 10-t0-12 yards.
Smith also has a history of being a top option inside the red zone, which will make him valuable to Tua while also demanding attention from defenses. Having to account for Smith in the red zone will lead to more space for both Miami’s top duo, as well as their backfield. Smith has 15 red zone touchdowns in his career, with 11 coming within the 10-yard line.
Ironically, Smith’s best season was in 2020 with the Tennessee Titans with… former Dolphins first-round pick Ryan Tannehill That year saw him score a career-best eight touchdowns, adding 41 receptions for 448 yards. Last year saw Smith notch a career-high 50 receptions for 582 yards despite being behind Kyle Pitts on the Atlanta Falcons’ depth chart.
The nose for the end zone Smith in Tennessee, as well as his strong 2023 season, could be part of the formula to solve this missing link to Tagovailoa’s game. Tua now has the steady third read that he desperately needed at times last season, and with Beckham and Washington behind him, has more options than ever. With Smith leading the way, these new options can help Miami finally get over the hump, and exorcize the demons of the last 24 years of postseason futility.
Up Next