After finishing as a top-five tight end in fantasy football last year, at least in PPR, many expect Jonnu Smith to potentially enter top-three status. However, there has been a looming rumor about him being traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers. That doesn’t bode well for his fantasy outlook, but if he stays in Miami, the 29-year-old can continue his career revival in Miami.
Jonnu Smith 2024 Stats and Fantasy Production
While he is more valuable in PPR, after finishing 4th in 2024, Smith is being drafted as a top-six tight end for fantasy football (Fantasy Pros) and deservingly so after his breakout season as a veteran. Although pre-bye (Week 6), he only had one top-six finish in PPR, the Fins tight end had seven top 10 finishes and multiple top five finishes that warrant tight end one status as a starting option.
Jonnu, among speedsters in Miami, had 88 catches, 884 yards, and eight touchdowns as a reliable option for Tua in the middle of the field. While he wasn’t a massive big-play threat, the Fins’ tight end was a volume and touchdown machine, especially when Hill and Waddle were out. His strength of schedule is around 9th against tight ends, so more of a tougher schedule, but it shouldn’t impact his value due to his floor as a reliable pass-catcher.
Jonnu Smith 2025 Fantasy Outlook
If Jonnu is shipped to Pittsburgh to his former offensive coordinator in Arthur Smith, that would change his fantasy outlook big-time. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, a trade could be imminent with Donald Parham’s torn Achilles. But even with that, it doesn’t make that much sense unless they don’t believe in Darnell Washington, as they also have Pat Freiermuth starting and paid.
A move to the Steelers would drop a potential top 5 ranking to outside the top 10, as a quarterback downgrade from Tua to whoever Pittsburgh trots out Week 1, regardless of whether it’s Aaron Rodgers or not. Despite having Jaylen Waddle and Tyreek Hill, along with Achane at running back, the tight end Smith was a consistent fantasy producer who should repeat his 2024 season if he sticks with the Dolphins.
While he is not in the same tier as George Kittle, Brock Bowers, or Trey McBride, Jonnu is right there in the next tier. The second crop of tight ends is a big range with Sam LaPorta, Travis Kelce, Evan Engram, Mark Andrews, David Njoku, and T.J. Hockenson.
