(AP Photo/Steven Senne)
The Patriots have been mostly quiet during this offseason after making several big splashes to begin free agency last year. One of the theories behind this is that several players signed last year will make a second year “jump” and become larger contributors than they were in 2021. The player who most badly needs to make that jump is tight end Jonnu Smith and if he can, he’ll add an entirely new dimension to the New England offense.
Smith was signed on the first day of 2021 free agency to a four-year, $50 million contract and was thought to be a pillar of a revamped tight end group that one day later added Hunter Henry. Of the two, Henry was the only one who made an impact last season. Smith had 41 catches for 448 yards and eight touchdowns in 15 games in 2020 with the Titans, but those numbers dropped to 28 catches for 294 yards and one touchdown in 16 games with the Patriots in 2021. Smith never looked fully comfortable in the Patriots offense and disappeared for long stretches.
One reason that Smith has cited for his disappointing 2021 was his lack of participation in the offseason program after signing. Initially, he was awaiting the birth of his child and stayed away from the team due to Covid concerns related to the birth. In minicamp, Smith injured his hamstring and missed nearly the entirety of the minicamp. This season, Smith plans on attending all of the Patriots voluntary offseason program and be a full participant in minicamp.
Smith is a tight end that has speed and can stretch defenses across the field and in the seams. The two plays below are an example of what Smith can bring to the table, though he did not last year.
Smith is still only 26 years old and certainly has the athletic ability to be a significant piece of the Patriots offense. The questions are fit and consistency. Smith did not fit in with the offense last year and could not produce consistently. Given his increased participation this offseason and another year in the Patriots system and working with Mac Jones, it stands to reason that Smith will have more production in 2022. If he does not, the Patriots will have a difficult time keeping up with the high-powered offenses across the AFC.