The Miami Dolphins ended their marriage with Mike Gesicki but extended their connection to Durham Smythe after five seasons with each tight end that spanned three different head coaching regimes.
What made Smythe fit coach Mike McDaniel’s offense more than Gesicki? To put it simply, he’s a better blocker.
Smythe, who started 15 regular-season games plus last January’s wild-card round playoff loss to the Buffalo Bills, remains. Along with him, Eric Saubert was brought in as an affordable free-agent acquisition, and Tanner Conner returns for a second season after making the team as an undrafted rookie in 2022.
Meanwhile, along with Gesicki’s departure, fellow tight end Hunter Long was traded to the Los Angeles Rams as part of the trade for elite cornerback Jalen Ramsey. Cethan Carter was released after spending most of the past season on injured reserve.
With three tight ends on the roster this April, the position is one the Dolphins appear likely to address in the NFL draft, which runs from April 27-29. And it’s most likely Miami goes for one on April 28, the second day when rounds 2 and 3 take place. The Dolphins currently have one pick in each of those rounds and then don’t select again until the sixth round.
Gesicki’s playing time took a significant hit under McDaniel. Playing on the franchise tag in 2022, he was no longer a starter, saw some of his career-low in-game snap totals in his fifth professional season and his receptions (32) and receiving yards (362) were the lowest since his rookie year.
Where Gesicki will be missed going forward is his red-zone ability. He caught six touchdowns between the regular season and the one postseason game. So, if a big pass-catching target who can also block is available in the draft, that would present a desirable option.
Smythe, a fourth-round selection in Adam Gase’s 2018 draft, saw a dip in his receiving numbers — 15 receptions, 129 yards, one touchdown — in 2022. But his proficiency as a blocker makes him a fit in the wide-zone run-blocking scheme.
Saubert, coming over from the Denver Broncos as he turns 29 on May 1, is also primarily known as a blocking tight end who can contribute on special teams. He has improved as a pass catcher of late, however, notching career highs with 15 receptions for 148 yards last season in Denver.
Conner, a converted wide receiver out of Idaho State who was undrafted in 2022, did not make a catch as a rookie while being targeted three times. He played in 25 offensive snaps and 152 special teams snaps over 13 games.
The Dolphins tried to make a big move at tight end between the past two offseasons. Agent Drew Rosenhaus said Miami looked into a trade for former Las Vegas Raiders standout Darren Waller in the 2022 offseason, but it’s unclear if that was before or after Miami pulled off the trade for star receiver Tyreek Hill. Waller has since gone to the New York Giants.
Long simply did not work out in Miami. After he was selected in the third round of the 2021 draft, he made just one catch over two seasons.
Carter, who was a key special teams contributor, did not appear again for the Dolphins after a concussion in last season’s opener against the New England Patriots.
Adam Shaheen has also not been re-signed by Miami this offseason. The team tried to trade him last preseason, but the deal with the Houston Texans was voided due to his failed physical. Shaheen never played in 2022.
Previously addressed
Dolphins still have work to do on offensive line either through draft or later in free agency
Dolphins quarterback breakdown: Mike White, Skylar Thompson to compete behind Tua Tagovailoa
