NFL
By: Rick O’Donnell
The tight end position for the Miami Dolphins has been a blind spot for years. Despite some success with the often-injured Darren Waller this year, and relative success of Jonnu Smith last season, the Dolphins haven’t found a long-term solution at tight end, if they ever had one. Yes, Miami has had successful tight ends to come through their system, but let’s face it. When Jonnu Smith was on the team, he set a few franchise records in just a short period of time, and Miami still showed him the door. How do they fix this going forward?
Re-sign Waller
Miami has got good production out of Waller when he’s on the field. He’s on a low-risk/high-reward contract so unless he stays healthy and blows up at the end of this season, the Dolphins should run it back with a similar contract. He’s shown his value, but now he has to prove he can both stay healthy and focus on football. When he’s on the field, his large frame gives QB Tua Tagovailoa the bailout on broken plays or a big target in the red zone who towers over mismatches. For the right price, if he’s still in the headspace where he wants to continue his football career, Miami should get something done at the right price.
Find A Dual Threat
Tight end needs to be a priority for the Miami Dolphins. Not quite as much of a priority as say, fixing the offensive line, but a priority nonetheless. The Dolphins often employ a stable of TEs who fit various roles and often make their offense slightly more predictable. They either have the receiving end who struggles to block, the blocking end who isn’t a factor in the passing game, or the guy who is barely average at both. The competitive and playoff-ready teams have the top tight ends in the NFL every season and the Dolphins can’t seem to wrap their head around that.
Two Tight End Sets
With the two previous fixes in place, the Dolphins can disguise their offense a bit more. Waller has the receiving skills, but can hold his own while blocking in the run game, and needs to polish up his pass blocking. If they have another TE who can block and pass, chances are they can throw different looks at opposing defenses. Head coach Mike McDaniel loves to throw different sets, misdirects, and personnel packages out there and let speed win matchups. If Miami can do that with two tight ends, guarding guys like either TE, Jaylen Waddle, or De’Von Achane gets a bit more complicated. More options mean more mismatches in this offense.
The Miami Dolphins haven’t been elite at tight end in years, if ever. Coincidentally, they’ve also been a bottom-feeder in the division in that time with an occasional season of competitiveness. Tight ends are your chain movers and QB bailouts. If the Dolphins want to give Tua Tagovailoa better options on broken plays, fixing the tight end position needs to be the start.
