Tennessee Titans: Is Jonnu Smith a sleeping giant on offense?

Jonnu Smith was selected in the third round by the Tennessee Titans, and the tight end looks to be in line for a sizable role in the 2017 offense.

If there was any question that the Tennessee Titans wanted to help out quarterback Marcus Mariota in 2017 and beyond, the draft put it to rest. With two selections in both the first and third rounds (four total), the Titans picked three pass-catchers. Wide receiver Corey Davis went fifth-overall, Taywan Taylor was taken 72nd overall and tight end Jonnu Smith rounded out the group at No. 100.

Coming off the board with the No. 5 pick, it’s no secret that Davis will both have big expectations and a big role in the offense for the 2017 season. Meanwhile, the stories surrounding Taylor have all indicated that he’ll have a sizable part to play. The least talked about of the trio, however, is Smith. Yet, every bit that we have heard indicates that the Florida International product could have every bit as big of a part to play in the upcoming campaign.

The latest bits of praise for Smith came from Cole Thompson of Draft Wire, who included the tight end as the Titans’ candidate to be a surprise rookie starter. He opined on the subject, saying this:

"One of the biggest reasons for Titans’ success on the ground last year was their two tight end formations, allowing extra blockers downfield for Derrick Henry and DeMarco Murray. Delanie Walker is an excellent blocker, but Jace Amaro is a pass-catching specialist who doesn’t give much in the blocking department. With similar skills to Walker, Smith could work his way into the double-tight set."

Everyone knows that Walker in the top tight end for the Titans. Even if he’s in his early 30s, he’s shown no signs of slowing down as a pass catcher and run blocker. However, Thompson’s bit on running two tight end sets highlights a prevalent part of the Tennessee offense. While a revamped receiving corps may diminish the number of snaps in those formations, it won’t be drastic. This is still a run-first team.

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But as Thompson says, that leaves the door open for Smith to take the reins as the second tight end in those sets. Neither Jace Amaro nor Phillip Supernaw have the complete skill set that the rookie does. What’s more, neither of those two players have the upside of Smith.

If you’re skeptical about the upside of a third-round pick, there’s a good chance he would’ve gone much sooner had he not been coming out of FIU. Though he’s not a big player (weighing in at 248 pounds at the NFL Combine), he’s exceptionally athletic. What’s more, his blocking is polished for a player his size given his experience in college.

This isn’t just college film or hearsay talking either. At the end of June, Jason Wolf of The Tennessean spoke to Walker about the newest addition to the tight end room. Walker, who’s pretty notoriously tight-lipped, was unbelievably complimentary of Smith, saying:

"“One day he will be better than me,” said Delanie Walker, who owns the franchise single-season records for most catches and receiving yards by a tight end. “And that’s his ultimate goal. And if he didn’t feel that way, I wouldn’t want him here.”"

Mind you, this is one of the most underrated players and tight ends in the league saying this about the rookie. Sure, Smith might not be better in Year 1. At the same time, though, the potential for him to get there at all would ostensibly make him a better option than Amaro or Supernaw as the TE2 in such sets.

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With what he showed in college as a pass-catcher, if Smith gets on the field in Week 1 — or even later — as a starter, he’s going to be a factor. He’s too dynamic and too athletic not to be in this offense. So while the majority of talk centers on the wideouts, keep an eye on Smith as, chances are, you’ll hear his name called plenty in 2017.

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