The Fantasy Fallout of Jonnu Smith to the Steelers

The Pittsburgh Steelers have made significant moves this offseason to try to improve their offense. They acquired WR DK Metcalf in a trade with the Seattle Seahawks, signed QB Aaron Rodgers, and signed WR Robert Woods. Even with those additions, the Steelers continued to bolster their offense by acquiring TE Jonnu Smith in a trade with the Dolphins on Monday.

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Jonnu Smith Coming Off Career Season

Prior to last season, Smith had never received more than 70 targets in a season during his career. He blew past that number, receiving 111 targets with the Dolphins. He made them count, totaling 88 receptions for 884 yards and eight touchdowns. Before that, his previous season high for receptions was 50, and receiving yards was 582. His eight receiving touchdowns equaled his total from 2020 with the Dolphins.

Smith wasn’t exactly a deep threat with the Dolphins, despite his career campaign. His average depth of target was 4.5 yards. However, he did average 6.1 yards after the catch and was targeted on 27.0% of his routes run.

What The Addition of Jonnu Smith Means For Pittsburgh

Despite Smith coming off the best season of his career, he should see a drastic decline in targets with the Steelers. They don’t have a lot of quality depth at wide receiver behind Metcalf, which does help the TE. However, Smith will have to compete with Steelers TE Pat Freiermuth for snaps and targets.

Freiermuth is also coming off a productive 2024 campaign, posting 65 receptions for 653 yards and seven touchdowns on 78 targets. He has finished with exactly seven touchdowns in two of his four seasons in the NFL. Not only will this trade have a negative impact on Smith, but Freiermuth should also see a decline in targets. Neither should be considered as a TE1 option. According to 4for4's Multi-Site ADP, Smith is currently the TE8 at pick 86, which should drop following this trade. Freiermuth is leaving boards as the TE17 and could fall in ADP, as well, in the coming weeks.

Miami Dolphins Fantasy Fallout

There isn’t a lot to be excited about at the tight end position for the Dolphins. Julian Brown caught 12 passes for 100 yards last season and will be entering his third season in the NFL. The Dolphins added journeyman TE Pharaoh Brown in the offseason, but he has never received more than 34 targets in a season during his career. With their lack of depth at the position in mind, the Dolphins traded for Giants TE Darren Waller on Tuesday. After dealing with multiple injuries, Waller retired following the 2023 season. He will come out of retirement and now attempt a comeback with the Dolphins.

With the team lacking at tight end, the Dolphins should rely heavily on their wide receivers this season. Tyreek Hill and Jayden Waddle lead that group and should remain busy moving forward. Nick Westbrook-Ikhine was added during the offseason after he set career highs in receiving yards (497) and touchdown receptions (nine) with the Titans last season. He has the potential to receive a slight boost as a result of Smith being dealt to the Steelers, but his fantasy upside remains limited with Hill and Waddle in the fold.

Bottom Line

• Jonnu Smith, who is coming off the best season of his career, was dealt from the Dolphins to the Steelers.
• Smith is no longer in the discussion to be a TE1, while his new teammate Pat Freiermuth also receives a significant downgrade. According to 4for4's Multi-Site ADP, Smith is currently the TE8 at pick 86, while Freiermuth's ADP is 141 as the TE17.
• Dolphins WRs Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle should see added targets with the Dolphins lacking a top receiving option at tight end. Hill should be one of the top WRs off the board in many leagues, while Waddle could be a high-end WR2 option.
• Newly acquired Dolphins WR Nick Westbrook-Ikhine could also benefit from this trade, but it would likely take an injury to Hill or Waddle for him to be a viable WR3.