Durham

Smythe

It was a typical outing for Smythe, who finished the 2023 season with 35 receptions for 366 scoreless yards. We’re now two years into Mike McDaniel’s tenure as the Dolphins’ head coach, and over that span, tight ends have offered little to no fantasy upside on a week-to-week basis. Miami is in need of an upgrade at the position, but it’s hard to know how much fantasy upside a tight end can carry with Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, and De’Von Achane absorbing targets. Smythe will be a fade next season even if he is Miami’s TE1.

The Dolphins had several offensive linemen out, with Armstead (knee/ankle), Liam Eichenberg (calf), Robert Hunt (hamstring), and Austin Jackson (oblique) missing Wednesday’s practice. Tight end Durham Smythe (ankle) was also limited, severely hampering the Dolphins’ offensive blocking. It is just the first practice report of the week, so several players could return to practice, but for now, the Dolphins’ offensive line is banged up heading into Week 16.

The Dolphins declared WR Braxton Berrios, QB Skylar Thompson, RB Jeff Wilson, OL Robert Jones, OL Robert Hunt , TE Durham Smythe, and WR Chase Claypool inactive for Week 11 against the Raiders. Achane is returning from an injured reserve stint due to a Week 5 knee sprain. His big-play ability should make him an RB2 against a bendy Raiders defense. RB Jeff Wilson is a healthy scratch as a result. WRs Braxton Berrios (hamstring) and Chase Claypool (knee) are also inactive, though neither are significant contributors to the Dolphins offense.

Durham Smythe is also questionable. Both pass-catchers logged a pair of limited practices to close the week and should suit up on Sunday. If one or both are ruled out, there could be some room for a third receiver to earn some targets in the Miami offense, but we aren’t holding our breath.

Claypool has missed practice each of the last two days and is on the wrong side of playing in Week 11 against the Raiders. Even if he does suit up, Claypool isn’t expected to have much of a fantasy impact. In three games with the Dolphins, he’s managed just one catch for 15 yards on two targets. Braxton Berrios (hamstring) and Durham Smythe (ankle) who did not practice on Wednesday returned to the practice field on Thursday.

Braxton Berrios and Durham Smythe also sat out of Wednesday’s practice. None of the three pass-catchers have flashed much fantasy potential this year, but all three missing could funnel some extra targets to Cedric Wilson. This is a situation to keep an eye on throughout the week.

Whether or not Smythe plays will have little impact on fantasy managers, as the veteran tight end currently fifth on the team in receptions. Even in a week that features several high-end tight ends on bye, managers can almost certainly do better than streaming Smythe in a shootout against the Chiefs.

Smythe was back on the field after missing Wednesday’s practice. The Dolphins No. 1 tight end is fifth on the team in receptions and well off the fantasy radar at this point. Even with four teams on bye, fantasy managers shouldn’t need to reach for Smythe as a streaming option against the Chiefs.

Smythe has been playing plenty of snaps this year but is incapable of earning targets. With Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle acting as the focal points of the passing attack, there isn’t anything left for Smythe to work with for fantasy purposes. His absence in Week 9 wouldn’t change much of the offense.

The 28 yards were Smythe’s third most of the season. Smythe has surpassed three catches once, when he notched four receptions in Week 4. Even in this elite offense, Smythe is struggling to crack the top 24 at tight end.