The Miami Dolphins and tight end Jonnu Smith agreed to terms Thursday on a two-year contract, according to a person familiar with the negotiations, giving the Dolphins a pass-catching threat that they lacked at tight end last season.
The person spoke to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the deal had not been announced.
Smith, 28, visited the Dolphins on Tuesday, a week after the Atlanta Falcons released him in a cost-cutting move. He set career highs with 50 receptions for 582 yards for Atlanta in 2023. He also had three touchdown catches.
The Dolphins were the only team in the NFL that did not have a touchdown catch from a tight end in 2023, as they haven't prominently featured tight ends in the passing game since coach Mike McDaniel took over at the start of the 2022 season.
Get South Florida local news, weather forecasts and entertainment stories to your inbox. Sign up for NBC South Florida newsletters.
Smith, who has 2,423 receiving yards on 219 receptions as well as 20 touchdowns, figures to be a solid option behind receivers Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, who combined for a league-best 2,813 yards last season.
Durham Smythe led Miami's tight ends in receiving in 2023 with 35 receptions for 366 yards. Julian Hill and Tanner Conner are Miami's other tight ends.
The Dolphins announced Thursday that they also signed defensive tackle Daviyon Nixon, who has played in 14 games with 15 career tackles since being drafted by Carolina in 2021. That adds another defensive tackle to their room after they signed Isaiah Mack on Tuesday. Miami did not place the franchise tag on standout defensive tackle Christian Wilkins on Tuesday, leaving him to enter free agency.
