Dolphins draft preview: Is there room to develop a tight end prospect?

The Dolphins have rarely utilized their tight ends in the passing game in Mike McDaniel’s two seasons as head coach. However, Miami’s moves in free agency signaled that could change in 2024.

The Dolphins signed Jonnu Smith, an athletic pass-catching tight end, bringing in a skill set to the position that the team hasn’t had since Mike Gesicki. Miami also added Jody Fortson, a converted wide receiver who also has an interesting athletic profile.

Now, could the Dolphins select a tight end prospect to develop?

Miami has six picks in the 2024 NFL Draft, including Nos. 21 and 55 in the first two rounds with the next choice in the fifth round, No. 157 overall.

As the draft approaches April 25-27, the Miami Herald examines the Dolphins’ tight end options.

DEPTH CHART

▪ Projected starter: Durham Smythe

▪ Reserves: Jonnu Smith, Jody Fortson, Julian Hill, Tanner Conner

WHAT DO THE DOLPHINS NEED?

A well-rounded prospect. Blocking will always be a priority for the Dolphins’ tight ends. It’s the reason why Gesicki’s snaps were limited and why Smythe has been a mainstay on offense the last two seasons despite limited contributions as a pass-catcher.

While Smith and Fortson have intriguing physical attributes, they have also often lined up as inline blockers. Hill made the roster last season as an undrafted rookie and got playing time because of his relentless blocking. When McDaniel was with the San Francisco 49ers, George Kittle’s combination of elite blocking and pass-catching skills made him a mismatch. Very few players have that rare skill set but if Miami can find someone similar, it would make the offense tougher to defend.

Here are tight ends the Dolphins could target in the draft.

Iowa’s Erick All

▪ Height: 6-4.

▪ Weight: 252 pounds.

▪ 2023 stats: seven games played, 21 receptions, 299 yards, three touchdowns.

▪ What to know: Iowa has been a tight end factory, recently producing standouts such as Kittle, the Minnesota Vikings’ TJ Hockenson and Detroit Lions’ Sam LaPorta. All, who transferred to the program after four seasons at Michigan, is hoping to be the next. He was Iowa’s leading receiver through seven games but sustained a season-ending ACL tear in October. He also only played three games in 2022 because of a back injury. All is coming to the Dolphins’ facility for a 30 visit, which could include a medical examination.

All has the size to line up as an inline blocker but needs to get more consistent at the point of attack. He’s fluid getting in and out of breaks and can separate but drops have been an issue at times. If All is cleared medically, he has the skill set to develop into a productive player in time.

Projection: Day 3

FSU’s Jaheim Bell

▪ Height: 6-2.

▪ Weight: 241 pounds.

▪ 2023 stats: 13 games played, 39 receptions, 503 yards, two touchdowns.

▪ What to know: Bell isn’t the prototypical tight end. He’s a bit small for the position and likely won’t major as an inline player. Bell, though, has the versatility and athleticism to line up in several spots on the field and be productive with the ball in his hands. He played running back during his junior season at South Carolina and has the toughness to pick up yards after the catch. Bell is still coming into his own as a receiver and doesn’t have a perfect fit but could be a long-term project with upside.

Projection: Day 3

Penn State’s Theo Johnson

▪ Height: 6-6.

▪ Weight: 259 pounds.

▪ 2023 stats: 13 games played, 34 receptions, 341 yards, seven touchdowns.

▪ What to know: Unlike Bell, Johnson’s size makes him perfectly suited to be an inline blocker but he needs to be more consistent in his technique to make the most of his frame. Johnson is also a big target but lacks the athleticism to separate often. He’ll need to be coached up in the NFL but ideally would be an effective blocker who could contribute to the passing game with his big catch radius and leaking out of his inline alignment in play action concepts.

Projection: Day 2-3.

Texas’ Ja’Tavion Sanders

▪ Height: 6-4.

▪ Weight: 245.

▪ 2023 stats: 14 games played, 45 receptions, 682 yards, two touchdowns.

▪ What to know: Sanders has the athleticism to be a Day 1 contributor in the passing game. His speed makes him a mismatch against linebackers and a lot of his production came from an inline alignment, which should appeal to the Dolphins. To round out his game, though, Sanders will have to be more physical as a run blocker to make the most of his time as an inline player.

Projection: Day 2

Ohio State’s Cade Stover

▪ Height: 6-4.

▪ Weight: 247 pounds.

▪ 2023 stats: 12 games played, 41 receptions, 576 yards, five touchdowns.

▪ What to know: Stover doesn’t wow in any particular area but he has the traits and upside to be a reliable starting tight end. He has good fundamentals as a run blocker but needs to be a bit more physical. Stover isn’t a burner but can separate with nuanced route running; he’s also a big target who only dropped two passes in the last two seasons. Overall, Stover is a high-floor prospect who could be an impact player if it all comes together.

Projection: Day 2-3