NFL Draft: Durham Smythe Is A Good Fit For The Miami Dolphins
By J.P. Scott
The Miami Dolphins selected Notre Dame tight end Durham Smythe with the 23rd pick in the 4th round of the 2018 NFL Draft.
In a bit of shocker in terms of the order of Notre Dame players coming off the board, the Miami Dolphins selected Durham Smythe in the fourth round of the NFL Draft on Saturday.
Smythe is arguably the best blocking tight end in the draft and the second player at the position the Dolphins have drafted this weekend. They selected Penn State’s Mike Gesicki earlier on Day 2.
Durham Smythe is a good fit in Miami. He gives them a much needed boost as a blocker in double-tight sets in the running game. He also gives quarterback Ryan Tannehill a sneaky target in short yardage and near the goal line. Tannehill’s mobility sets up play action passes near he goal line where Smythe could sneak into the middle or drift out into the flat on short, quick scoring plays.
Durham Smythe is just the latest in what is becoming quite a pipeline of Notre Dame tight ends to be drafted as of late. Due to what is quickly becoming a unique skill set in the NFL, there is a very good chance that Smythe has a place on an NFL roster — whether it be Miami or somewhere else — for a long time.
He blocking is outstanding, but his dependable hands will ensure that he remains a necessary cog in any offense he plays in. For now, that offense will be under the sun in South Florida, where he’ll try to help the Miami Dolphins stop New England’s long run of dominance in the AFC East.