Grading the Miami Dolphins tight ends after their 2021 season
The Miami Dolphins have ended their 2021 season with a winning record, but they missed the postseason yet again and fired their head coach.
Now, it’s time to reflect and talk about the players who impacted the outcomes on the field.
We’ll be going through different positions over the next week or so and reviewing how they played in 2021. After starting with the rookies, quarterbacks, running backs, and wide receivers, we’ll take a look at the guys who tend to work the middle of the field and help with some blocking. These are the grades for the Dolphins tight ends during this campaign.
Mike Gesicki: B+
Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
2021 was arguably the best season of Gesicki’s career. With DeVante Parker being injured for a good chunk of the season, the tight end essentially became Miami’s second receiver behind Jaylen Waddle. Gesicki recorded a career-high 73 catches for a career-high 780 yards and two touchdowns.
Ideally, Gesicki would be a little more in the red zone, but the year was a good one nonetheless. All eyes will be on him this offseason, as Miami’s top offensive free agent.
Durham Smythe: C
Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
Smythe was the Dolphins’ most versatile tight end this season. His blocking was solid, and he brought in a career-high 34 receptions for a career-high 357 yards in 2021. With Gesicki being used in a strictly pass-catching role, Miami’s offense needed Smythe.
Adam Shaheen: D
Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
When Shaheen was brought to Miami in 2020, he was expected to be a big-bodied target that the Dolphins could use in the red zone, but that was far from what we saw in 2021. Despite playing nearly 50% of the offensive snaps, Shaheen recorded just 12 receptions for 110 yards and no touchdowns.
For a team that uses three tight ends as much as Miami, it would’ve been nice to see more from the 27-year-old this year.
Hunter Long: INC
Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports
The rookie from Boston College played just 90 offensive snaps on the season, mostly filling in for Shaheen while he was injured. He finished the season with just one catch for eight yards. His blocking has looked solid, but he hasn’t been used enough to decide whether or not he’s a serviceable tight end just yet.
Cethan Carter: INC
Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
In Carter’s first year with the Dolphins, he only saw the field for 52 snaps on offense, recording just two receptions for 16 yards. Most of his time was spent on special teams. He seems to be solid in those roles, but we’d need to see more of him on offense to give a grade.
