The Broncos already made one major offensive splash by trading for Jaylen Waddle, and that move could make another former Dolphins pass-catcher feel like a natural fit in Denver.
Bryan DeArdo of CBS Sports connected the Broncos to free-agent tight end Jonnu Smith, calling him a possible addition for Sean Payton’s offense. DeArdo wrote, "TE Jonnu Smith: Broncos," and added, "... Smith's skill set also meshes with Sean Payton's offense, which gives pass-catchers a chance to make plays after the catch."
That kind of profile stands out for a Broncos tight end group that hasn’t given the team much. Evan Engram has been a disappointment, while Adam Trautman has been little more than a depth piece. If Denver wants a more reliable receiving threat at the position, Smith checks a lot of boxes.
Smith is coming off a big 2024 season with the Dolphins, when he caught 88 passes on 111 targets for 884 yards and eight touchdowns while working alongside Waddle. That production was a sharp jump from his 2024 stint with the Pittsburgh Steelers, where he finished with 38 receptions on 54 targets for 222 yards and two touchdowns.
Even with that uneven recent stretch, Smith still brings plenty of résumé to the table. The 30-year-old is a nine-year veteran with 3,529 receiving yards and 30 touchdowns on 345 career catches, and he’d give Denver a versatile option in a room that has lacked one.
For a Broncos team that believes it can win the Super Bowl in 2026, adding a proven tight end like Smith - even in a depth role - would fit the need.
In Other News...
Steelers Fans Are Starting To Worry About A Supposed Defensive Anchor
The Steelers have spent the offseason adding pieces around a roster that already finished with an AFC North title, bringing in Michael Pittman, Rico Dowdle, Jamel Dean and Jaquan Brisker as they try to keep pace in a division that rarely gives anyone much breathing room. Even with those additions, ESPN analyst Mike Clay still pointed to inside linebacker as Pittsburghs weakest spot, a reminder that the middle of the defense remains under the microscope heading into the new year.
Patrick Queen is the name that hangs over that conversation. After arriving in Pittsburgh on a three-year deal in 2024 and earning a Pro Bowl nod that season, he has still left some uneven tape behind him, including a PFF finish last year that placed him near the bottom of the off-ball linebacker group. For a defense that wants stability from its supposed anchor, the question is whether Queen can turn that inconsistency into something much closer to the standard the Steelers thought they were buying. [Read more 🡒]
Former Chargers 1,000-Yard Back Suddenly Carries Unfinished Business Elsewhere
Seattles backfield has been in flux since Kenneth Walker III left for Kansas City in free agency, and the Seahawks have already added Jadarian Price and Emmanuel Wilson as they try to patch together depth. With Zach Charbonnet still working back from injury, the room is thin enough that the team is at least exploring veteran help, which has put a familiar name back into the conversation.
Najee Harris, a former Pro Bowler who made his biggest mark with Pittsburgh before a recent stint with the Chargers, has been mentioned as a possible fit for the Seahawks backfield mix. His rsum still carries weight, but the bigger question is whether Seattle sees him as a short-term insurance policy or something more, especially with the roster construction in that position still very much in motion. [Read more 🡒]