Jonnu Smith is one of those remaining free agents who feels like he probably should've found a team by now.
Maybe he's just waiting for the right landing spot, and there's a chance the Carolina Panthers could fit that bill.
It's an interesting thought which was thrown out by ESPN's Matt Bowen in a new article on Monday. The Panthers aren't a team that comes up in a lot of free agent dialogue, and with Smith coming from an AFC-heavy career and having just played for the Pittsburgh Steelers, it isn't the first thing that comes to mind.
But Smith did have great success in the NFC South with the Atlanta Falcons, and maybe he'd like to return to the division.
Bowen certainly thinks Smith would be a solid addition to help Bryce Young's offense continue to grow.
"Smith would give the Panthers a move -- or 'F' -- tight end who can create schematic advantages due to his alignment versatility," Bowen writes. "He can flex outside in 12 personnel, while getting targets on unders and screens. Wherever he lines up, Smith can be a reliable catch-and-run target for quarterback Bryce Young. Smith had 38 receptions in Pittsburgh last season, and 68.4% of his career receiving totals have come after the catch."
That YAC ability of Smith is really his whole calling card. He makes life easy on the QB. Give him the ball somewhere close to the line of scrimmage and let him do the hard part of picking up the rest of the yardage.
Young has improved since entering the NFL, but he doesn't have a giant arm. It definitely helps him to rely on short-range targets who can make plays as long as they get the ball on time and on target.
Smith would fit that bill, and while nothing is a given at this point in free agency, Bowen made a compelling case as to why the Panthers should hope to end up with Jonnu on their team.
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