NOLA Saints should explore a trade for Patriots TE Jonnu Smith
The NOLA Saints didn’t get much production out of their tight ends in 2021 and need to find a better solution for 2022 and beyond. Perhaps Jonnu Smith of the New England Patriots could be an option for them.
Smith, who was drafted in the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft out of Florida International by the Titans, made a nice name for himself in Nashville during the first four years of his career. His best season came in 2020 where he hauled in 41 receptions for 448 yards and eight touchdowns.
That production is what landed Smith his four-year $50 million deal with the Patriots in the 2021 offseason.
Unfortunately for New England, their strategy of adding both Smith and Hunter Henry to form a deadly tight end duo didn’t go according to plan. Smith finished his inaugural season with the Patriots totaling 294 yards and one touchdown.
Henry McKenna noted on Twitter that it was unlikely New England would be able to say goodbye to Smith this offseason. The Saints should explore a trade for the tight end, as he’d give them the red zone target they were desperately missing this season.
Patriots are very unlikely to part ways with Jonnu Smith ($26.5M dead cap, if cut) or Nelson Agholor ($10M dead cap, if cut). So they will likely have a hard time signing a true WR1 w/ just $20M of salary cap space (and all their pending free agents).
— Henry McKenna (@McKennAnalysis) January 18, 2022
NOLA Saints would be a good landing spot for Jonnu Smith
John Sigler of Saints Wire tweeted that the Patriots could save money by trading Smith and this is the reason New England should definitely take phone calls.
the only way Patriots save significant money in parting with Smith this year is a trade after June 1st. they'd take on $3.75M in dead money this year and $7.5M next year, but free up $9.9M against the cap (which would go to his new team). hmm https://t.co/R6Na8E830m
— John Sigler (@john_siglerr) January 18, 2022
While Smith didn’t perform well with the Patriots this past season, we’ve seen how good the guy can be. If the Saints, at the very least, get Jameis Winston back, he’d finally have a legitimate tight end to throw to in the offense. We saw the chemistry he built with Juwan Johnson during a limited time so adding a weapon like Smith would be perfect for this team moving forward.
Adam Trautman hasn’t shown much of anything during his two years in the league and while he still has two years left on his deal, putting him in a backup role wouldn’t upset anyone.
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Smith’s down year in New England could be worrisome but he’s shown in previous years that he can be a game-changer. New Orleans should absolutely make a play for the tight end to improve their offense.