Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Jonnu Smith was a mixed bag in his debut with the team in the wild 34-32 win over the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on Sunday. Smith led the team with five receptions on six targets and found the end zone for the first time in 2025, but he accounted for only 15 receiving yards and averaged a paltry three yards per reception. The 30-year-old played in 66 percent of the offensive snaps compared to 50% for fellow TE Pat Freiermuth, who caught all three of his targets for 28 yards. It's good news that quarterback Aaron Rodgers looked Smith's way six times (tied for second on the team), but he's certainly not going to be anywhere close to his 88-884-8 line in a breakout season with Miami last year. As long as Freiermuth stays healthy, fantasy managers should consider Smith a touchdown-dependent TE2.
Sep 8, 2025 3:32 PM EST
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Jonnu Smith is set to debut for the team on the road against the New York Jets. Smith broke out in 2024, earning over 100 targets for the first time in his career while scoring eight touchdowns. Now reunited with offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, he should see plenty of opportunities despite sharing the position with Pat Freiermuth. This matchup, however, doesn't necessarily inspire confidence that Smith's campaign will get off to a hot start. New York limited tight ends to the eighth-fewest fantasy points last season, and Sunday's contest is expected to be low-scoring. Smith can be started in a pinch, but he shouldn't be viewed as a top-12 option this week.
Sep 5, 2025 7:59 PM EST
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Jonnu Smith is reunited with offensive coordinator Arthur Smith for a third time, a partnership that has historically produced fantasy-relevant results. Smith said of his OC: "We've had a lot of success together. He will continue to move that needle, bring the best out of you, and demand the best from you. It's why we get along so well." Last year with the Miami Dolphins, Smith posted the best season of his career, with 88 catches for 884 yards and eight touchdowns. However, in his previous stint with Arthur Smith in Atlanta, he caught 50 passes for 582 yards and three touchdowns, which was his prior best. While the Steelers have other talented pass-catchers, including tight end Pat Freiermuth, Smith's offense has historically used multiple tight-end formations more than any other team. RotoBaller currently ranks the 30-year-old as a mid-range TE2 (ranked TE20) with potential for increased production due to his familiarity with the system. Smith's history with the offense and a strong preseason make him a solid late-round tight end target and a potential starter if needed.
Aug 31, 2025 3:42 PM EST
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Jonnu Smith (knee) is back in uniform at practice on Saturday after missing the entire preseason with a knee injury, according to Mike DeFabo of The Athletic. This will be Smith's first practice since tweaking his knee on Aug. 5. The 30-year-old should be on track to play in the Week 1 regular-season opener on Sunday, Sept. 7, against the New York Jets. However, after a career year in 2024 with the Miami Dolphins, Smith's fantasy value took a huge hit after being traded to Pittsburgh in the offseason. He should still be involved in offenive coordinator Arthur Smith's system, but he's expected to take a back seat to incumbent Pat Friermuth. In single-TE fantasy formats, managers can avoid Smith on draft day. Outside of his 88-884-8 line last year, Smith's best season was a 50-582-3 line the year prior in Atlanta.
Aug 23, 2025 1:37 PM EST
Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said that wide receiver Calvin Austin III (abdomen) and tight end Jonnu Smith (knee) are considered day-to-day. "Hopefully they're back sooner rather than later," Tomlin said. The head coach categorized Smith's injury as knee soreness, while Austin is working through a minor abdominal issue. It remains to be seen if either play will suit up for the second preseason game on Saturday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but even if they don't, they should be ready for the Week 1 regular-season opener in early September. Austin has the inside track to be the WR2 behind DK Metcalf this year, but that role is still unlikely to give the 26-year-old enough volume to make him an every-week starter in fantasy. Meanwhile, Smith lost most of his fantasy appeal in the offseason trade from Miami to Pittsburgh.
Aug 12, 2025 6:05 PM EST
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Jonnu Smith (knee) was back on the practice field at training camp on Wednesday after missing the very end of practice on Tuesday, according to Alan Saunders of PGH Steelers Now. The Steelers weren't in pads on Wednesday, but it's still a good sign that Smith's knee injury isn't very serious. The 29-year-old should be just fine for the start of the regular season in early September, but it remains to be seen if he'll play in the first preseason game this Saturday versus the Jacksonville Jaguars. Pretty much all of the fantasy excitement around Smith went away after he was traded from the Miami Dolphins to the Steelers this offseason. He broke out in 2024 with an 88-884-8 line in 17 games (six starts) but will now most likely be the second pass-catching TE in Pittsburgh behind Pat Freiermuth.
Aug 6, 2025 6:16 PM EST
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Jonnu Smith (knee) left Tuesday's training camp practice early with knee soreness, but head coach Mike Tomlin said it doesn't seem like a serious injury. Smith himself downplayed his injury when talking to reporters, so it's likely the 29-year-old will be back on the field in a few days. He had a career year in 2024 with the Miami Dolphins and made his first Pro Bowl appearance while catching 88 of his 111 targets for 884 yards and eight touchdowns in 17 games (six starts). Smith was the beneficiary of Miami's disappointing dink-and-dunk offense a year ago, and fantasy managers reaped the benefits. A year later after his trade from Miami to Pittsburgh, Smith is going to go undrafted in standard-sized 12-team leagues as he attempts to split playing time with Pat Freiermuth. Freiermuth is expected to be the team's primary pass-catching option at TE.
Aug 5, 2025 6:27 PM EST
Brooke Pryor of ESPN reports that Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Jonnu Smith (undisclosed) was working in individual periods at training camp on Friday but did not work with the position group for the second wave of individual periods, which is basically the same participation level that he had on Thursday. Head coach Mike Tomlin said that Smith is day-to-day with an unspecified injury that doesn't sound very serious. The 29-year-old had a career year in 2024 with the Miami Dolphins, catching 88 passes on 111 targets for 884 yards and eight touchdowns in 17 games (six starts), and now he'll reunite with offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, who he's played for in Tennessee and Atlanta. Fantasy managers are going to need to downgrade Jonnu in fantasy this year, though, as he will probably struggle to find weekly value while sharing targets with Pat Freiermuth.
Jul 25, 2025 5:50 PM EST
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Jonnu Smith (undisclosed) is considered day-to-day with an unspecified injury, according to head coach Mike Tomlin. The 2024 Pro Bowler participated in individual drills on Thursday but was held out of team drills. Given his limited practice participation, this should not be viewed with much concern by fantasy managers. Smith was traded to the Steelers from the Miami Dolphins for a late-round pick swap following the most productive season of his career. Smith tallied career highs in receptions (88), receiving yards (884), and touchdowns (eight) in 17 games a season ago. Now in Pittsburgh and back with offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, the 29-year-old is unlikely to replicate his fantasy TE1 season in 2025. The Steelers project to have a low-volume passing offense led by an aging Aaron Rodgers.
Jul 24, 2025 4:31 PM EST
The Pittsburgh Steelers view new tight end Jonnu Smith as a tight end, a slot wide receiver and a fullback and will use him in a hybrid role in offensive coordinator Arthur Smith's offense. Despite already having tight end Pat Freiermuth, the Steelers acquired Smith, cornerback Jalen Ramsey and a 2027 seventh-round pick from the Miami Dolphins on Monday in exchange for safety Minkah Fitzpatrick and a 2027 fifth-rounder. Smith will reunite with Arthur Smith after posting a 50-582-3 line in 2023 with the Atlanta Falcons. At the time, the 582 receiving yards were a career-high for Smith until he went off for 88 catches, 884 yards and eight TDs with Miami last season. The 29-year-old will now be working with veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers in what's expected to be a run-first offense. The move to Pittsburgh is definitely bad news for Smith's fantasy upside as a TE1 in 2025.
Jun 30, 2025 9:36 PM EST
The Miami Dolphins are trading Pro Bowl tight end Jonnu Smith to the Pittsburgh Steelers for a late-round pick swap, according to NFL insider Ian Rapoport. The 29-year-old had the best season of his career in 2024, posting 88 receptions for 884 yards and eight touchdowns in 17 games. This move reunites him with Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, who worked with the tight end in Tennessee and Atlanta for a total of five seasons. The Steelers were hurting for weapons behind the recently acquired DK Metcalf, so Smith should be viewed as the clear No. 2 option in the passing attack led by Aaron Rodgers. Pat Freiermuth, Roman Wilson, and Calvin Austin III are minor losers of this trade and will have a tougher time commanding targets in 2025. As for Miami, De'Von Achane, Tyreek Hill, and Jaylen Waddle now have less target competition. Julian Hill figures to enter the TE1 role for now.
Jun 30, 2025 11:16 AM EST
Miami Dolphins tight end Jonnu Smith's agent, Drew Rosenhaus, said that contract talks were "still fluid." "Nothing has been resolved yet. It's still an ongoing situation." After a career year in 2024 in which Smith set franchise records for the tight end position, he's angling for an extension heading into the final year of his deal in 2025 and was a no-show at mandatory minicamp as a result. Miami would like to retain the 29-year-old, but if the two sides can't get something done before the start of the regular season this fall, it's possible that he'll be traded. Smith finished last year with 88 receptions for 884 yards and eight touchdowns, ironically with Miami's offense taking a step back overall. If he remains in South Beach this year, Smith should remain a big part of the offense, but fantasy managers should probably expect a step back as a midrange TE1.
Jun 16, 2025 12:06 PM EST
Miami Dolphins tight end Jonnu Smith and cornerback Jalen Ramsey are not present for the start of mandatory minicamp on Tuesday, according to head coach Mike McDaniel. Neither Smith nor Ramsey attended voluntary OTAs, either. Smith is seeking a new deal after setting franchise marks at the TE position last year with an 88-884-8 line in 17 games. Meanwhile, the Dolphins are fully expected to trade Ramsey this offseason due to a relationship that has soured. The 29-year-old Smith is heading into the final year of a two-year contract, but he wants to stick around in Miami, so this is something that could get worked out before the start of the 2025 season. Smith's fantasy value as a midrange TE1 will be strongest if he sticks in Miami as one of quarterback Tua Tagovailoa's top targets next to wideouts Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle.
Jun 10, 2025 1:17 PM EST
The NFL Network's Cameron Wolfe says that both the Miami Dolphins and tight end Jonnu Smith want to continue their relationship in 2025. However, Smith has been a trade candidate of late because he's looking for a new deal after posting the best season ever for a tight end in Miami with 88 catches on 111 targets for 884 yards and eight touchdowns in 17 games (six starts) in 2024. The two sides prefer to try and work something out first, but if negotiations go sideways, we could see a trade. The Pittsburgh Steelers are the one team that we know has had talks with Miami about Smith as they look for more TE depth following the torn Achilles for Donald Parham Jr. Even before the injury to Parham, the Steelers were looking for another playmaker to join receiver DK Metcalf. Although Smith has familiarity with Pittsburgh offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, for fantasy purposes, his ceiling is probably higher in Miami.
Jun 4, 2025 6:11 PM EST
ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that the Pittsburgh Steelers renewed their conversations with the Miami Dolphins on Tuesday regarding tight end Jonnu Smith. Just hours after Schefter noted that the team was out on Smith, Pittsburgh is reportedly right back in after a devastating, potentially season-ending injury to tight end Donald Parham Jr. (Achilles). The Steelers have been searching for a bit of offensive firepower in the wake of wide receiver George Pickens departing for the Dallas Cowboys. The NFL Insider also reported that former Jacksonville Jaguars wideout Gabe Davis is scheduled to visit with the organization later this week. The eight-year pro was a revelation for Miami last season, operating as quarterback Tua Tagovailoa's go-to target. It's unclear whether or not the Dolphins will deploy a similar short-area scheme in 2025, though a move to the Steel City should be a boon for his value. That is, depending on who is throwing passes for Pittsburgh.
Jun 3, 2025 8:15 PM EST
The Pittsburgh Steelers have been seeking additional receiving help after trading wideout George Pickens to the Dallas Cowboys. They have inquired about Miami Dolphins tight end Jonnu Smith, who is seeking a contract extension after a career year in 2024, but they are not expected to trade for him, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. The 29-year-old was a go-to target for quarterback Tua Tagovailoa in 2024, catching 88 passes for 884 yards and eight touchdowns on 111 targets over 17 games. He's heading into the final year of a two-year, $10 million deal, though, and he wants an extension after a strong first season in South Beach. Smith benefitted from the Dolphins staying shorter with their passes, which in turn hurt wideouts Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. Smith should at least be a midrange TE1 target in 2025 if he stays in Miami. If he is traded, it would be good news for both Hill and Waddle.
Jun 3, 2025 12:03 PM EST
Because Miami Dolphins tight end Jonnu Smith wants a new contract, he's been involved in trade talks this offseason, most notably with the Pittsburgh Steelers. However, Smith's agent, Drew Rosenhaus, said Smith wants to remain in Miami. "Here's what I will say on behalf of my client: Jonnu would definitely like to stay in Miami," Rosenhaus said. "That's his first choice. This is where he lives in the off-season. He had a record-breaking season last year." The 29-year-old had a career year in 2024 with the Dolphins, catching 88 passes for 884 yards and eight touchdowns and is due to make $.4.8 million in 2025 in the final year of his two-year deal. If the Dolphins were to trade Smith, they'd be left with Pharoah Brown, Julian Hill, Tanner Conner and undrafted rookie Jalin Conyers in their TE room. A trade to Pittsburgh would definitely make a repeat season even more difficult for Smith.
Jun 2, 2025 12:29 PM EST
According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Miami Dolphins and Pittsburgh Steelers have discussed a trade involving Pro Bowl tight end Jonnu Smith. These trade talks came after Smith hinted at wanting a new deal following his career season. The 29-year-old is due $4.8 million this season after catching 88 passes for 884 yards and eight touchdowns in his first season with Miami. Smith is outside the top 20 highest-paid players at the position, so asking for a raise is warranted. Smith spent the 2023 season with current Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith in Atlanta after spending four seasons with him in Tennessee from 2017 to 2020. That said, he would have instant familiarity with his system if he's dealt to Pittsburgh. If this trade materializes, the fantasy stocks of Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle would rise, while Pat Freiermuth could be at risk of falling off the fantasy radar.
May 29, 2025 3:13 PM EST
Miami Dolphins tight end Jonnu Smith caught nine of 12 targets for 56 yards in their 32-20 season finale loss to the New York Jets. Smith was a huge bright spot for the Dolphins offense in the second half of the season after Tua Tagovailoa returned from his discussion. In the postgame press conference, he admitted that players were watching the scoreboard and saw the Denver Broncos pummeling the Kansas City Chiefs, crushing their playoff hopes. With the 29-year-old on a one-year deal, his future with the Dolphins is uncertain, but his performance and reliability can't go unnoticed. If he returns to Miami next season, he will surely be a top TE option for fantasy drafts in 2025.
Jan 6, 2025 10:34 AM EST
Miami Dolphins tight end Jonnu Smith remains an appealing fantasy option ahead of Sunday's Week 18 contest against the New York Jets. There are many moving parts ahead of the Dolphins' regular-season finale, including the injury statuses of key offensive weapons such as Tua Tagovailoa (hip), Jaylen Waddle (knee), and Tyreek Hill (wrist, illness). As it stands, Tagovailoa is expected to be sidelined, leaving Tyler Huntley as the Dolphins' starting quarterback for the second week in a row. Smith saw a significantly reduced target share with Huntley under center last week, catching three of four targets for 26 yards. He had his lowest target total, reception total, yardage total, and snap share since Week 10. However, he managed to snag a touchdown pass in the win, salvaging his fantasy performance and giving him seven consecutive games with double-digit fantasy points (PPR). He ranks as the overall TE4 this season, and while the insertion of Huntley under center does lower Smith's ceiling and floor, we still view the 29-year-old tight end as a top-eight fantasy option at his position heading into Week 18.
Jan 4, 2025 10:02 AM EST
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