Who Should I Start? Darren Waller or Jonnu Smith

Friday, August 29, 10:17 AM

Miami Dolphins tight end Darren Waller said he has "to knock some rust off" after the team's practice on Wednesday, per Joe Schad of The Palm Beach Post. Waller did not practice during training camp, as the team has said they want to take things slow with his return from retirement. The soon-to-be 33-year-old last played in 2023 for the New York Giants, catching 52 passes for 552 yards and one touchdown across 12 games. Even before his one-year hiatus, Waller had a tough time avoiding injuries. He's played in more than 12 games just twice in his eight-year NFL career. Waller has some upside from a fantasy perspective, but he should be off the radar of fantasy managers until he proves he can stay on the field and his role in Miami's offense becomes clearer.

Sunday, August 31, 3:42 PM

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.