Who Should I Start? Darren Waller or Jonnu Smith

Wednesday, July 23, 6:22 PM

Miami Dolphins tight end Darren Waller starting training camp on the Physically Unable to Perform list is standard procedure for players coming out of retirement, according to head coach Mike McDaniel. "You're trying to be responsible. There's no gravity to it. This is a well-conditioned athlete who's in great shape. There's a 0 to 60 element in it that you try to be preventative and responsible as he gets his feet wet, that was our motivation," McDaniel said. The 32-year-old isn't dealing with a specific injury, but the Dolphins aren't going to throw Waller into the fire right away after he didn't play at all in 2024. When the regular season begins, Waller will be the team's top pass-catching tight end, although fantasy managers shouldn't expect him to necessarily put up the numbers Jonnu Smith did in a breakout year in 2024. Still, Waller will be attractive as a TE2 flier, especially in TE-premium leagues.

Thursday, July 24, 4:31 PM

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.