The 2018 draft class will be in line for extensions this offseason. In Miami, that means there will be plenty of focus on the future deals for Jerome Baker and Mike Gesicki. However, another player who could end up garnering a long-term fontract is tight end Durham Smythe, per Adam Beasley and Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald.
The reporters note that an extension for Smythe “would not be surprising.” After all, the 25-year-old has continually received praise from his coaches for his versatility, especially as a blocker. Plus, the former fourth-rounder proved that he could be an actual offensive weapon in 2020, an important development for a young and emerging Dolphins squad.
Smythe caught only 13 receptions through his first two seasons in the NFL, but he put up bigger numbers in 2020. The tight end ultimately started 13 of his 15 games, hauling in 26 receptions for 208 yards and two touchdowns. Smythe also saw consistent time on special teams, collecting seven tackles.
Beasley and Jackson also briefly preview the potential negotiations for Baker and Gesicki. If the two players aren’t extended, they’ll hit free agency during the 2022 offseason. The reporters opine that the organization could ultimately use the franchise tag on Gesicki, adding that it’s unlikely that the organization would go that route with Baker. Either way, the organization will have plenty of financial flexibility, especially this offseason; the reporters estimated that Miami will have around $34MM to spend.
He stole like 50 fantasy points from mike gesicki this year
They should hold onto him. It’s the unseen underrated players like Smythe that you want making up the roster after your stars. Especially because they’re relatively cheap considering the production and attitude you’ll get as a team from them.
Starters tend to coast a bit when they don’t see anyone on the depth chart that can challenge them so I agree with you that keeping capable, hungry players like Smythe on the roster has unseen benefits.
Very smart move if they choose to do so
It’s human nature that football players always want more money than they are worth, thus reasonable contract extensions are not the norm.
As for the opine that “the organization could ultimately use the franchise tag on Gesicki”, that is idiotic nonsense, as you don’t pay players of Gesicki’s level $11 million per year.