The New England Patriots are preparing to face the Miami Dolphins this Sunday, and while you would think the Patriots would focus on Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, head coach Jerod Mayo has focused on a less heralded Dolphins playmaker.

Tight end Jonnu Smith.

Smith actually spent two seasons in New England in 2021 and 2022 before being traded to the Atlanta Falcons. He signed with Miami last offseason and has been one of the more productive tight ends in the game this year, catching 39 passes for 448 yards and three touchdowns.

“Jonnu (Smith) has been doing well and coming up with his run-after-catch stuff lately,” Mayo said, via Sean T. McGuire of NESN. “So I’m doing a good job there for them.”

Smith was originally selected by the Tennessee Titans in the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft. He spent the first four years of his career with the Titans, with his best season coming in 2020 when he snagged 41 balls for 448 yards and eight scores.

The 29-year-old then had a few largely unproductive years with the Pats, collecting 55 grabs for 539 yards and a touchdown across two seasons.

Smith would show signs of a breakout with the Falcons, hauling in 50 receptions for 582 yards while reaching the end zone three times.

But the Florida International product is really coming into his own this season in South Beach.

Perhaps it’s the presence of Hill and Waddle in the Dolphins’ receiving corps that has completely opened things up for Smith. Or maybe he’s just a late bloomer.

Either way, Smith is playing fantastic football for Miami and the Patriots should keep an eye on him this weekend.

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