Over the offseason, the Miami Dolphins traded away Pro Bowl tight end Jonnu Smith to the Pittsburgh Steelers along with Jalen Ramsey. Shortly after, they swung a deal with the New York Giants for Darren Waller, who spent last season retired.
Waller spent the first four weeks of training camp on the physically unable to perform list, as he returned to playing shape after taking a season off. The former Pro Bowler was activated ahead of the team's final preseason game, but did not see any action. His first snap since 2023 will come in the season opener against the Indianapolis Colts.
"I'm happy to be where I'm at and in the mix," the Dolphins tight end said to the South Florida Sun Sentinel. "My first practice in a while and, in some ways, it feels like it. There's always going to be areas to grow, things you got to knock some rust off, but I'm just grateful to be where I'm at."
With the departure of Smith, the Dolphins had a large hole to fill in their offense as quarterback Tua Tagovailoa looked for his tight end in important spots last season. Assuming Waller can return to a fraction of his former self, he could be the jolt the Dolphins need, as Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle will command most of the target share.
Waller is a low-risk, high-reward addition to the Miami roster, as he is only making $2 million this season and would become a free agent after the season. The freshly unretired tight end could make a difference in the offense, giving Tagovailoa a reliable target to throw to in the red zone.
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