The Patriots are trading tight end Jonnu Smith to the Atlanta Falcons for a 7th round draft pick. The move was a salary dump by the team as they looked to shed the Smith’s contract. The former Titans tight end signed as a free agent in the spring of 2021 for four years and $50 million dollars. The Patriots had high hopes for Smith but he never became the player they were hoping for. He caught 55 passes for 539 yards and one touchdown in two years.

By releasing Smith, the Patriots saves $4.4 million in cap space. The money was put to good use almost immediately as the team re-signed cornerback Jonathan Jones to a two year deal.

So now that Smith has been released, where do the Patriots go from here? Well Bill Belichick likes playing in 12 personnel so the team is now in the tight end market. Whether they address the position in free agency or the draft, they will look to add a second tight end.

Smith seemed to be the perfect fit when the team signed him but he never played up to the potential he showed between 2019-2020 when he was targeted 109 times and caught 76 passes for 887 yards and 11 touchdowns. The Patriots tried to find creative ways to use Smith as a runner and as a receiver but he just wasn’t producing at the level necessary for him to be successful.

Looking back on it now, the shopping spree of 2021 has yielded mixed results. Matthew Judon has been worth every penny. Hunter Henry was terrific in 2021 but fell off last year. Same with Kendrick Bourne. Outside of those three, it is hard to say that the Patriots got much out of the free agents they signed.

The Smith signing unfortunately will probably be the most remembered contract out of Belichick’s shopping spree out of Judon.