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Jonnu Smith

Top-15 potential for new starter?

In the training camp preview at the Tennessee Titans website, it notes that Jonnu Smith, entering his fourth season, is the team's "undisputed TE1." The question is how excited fantasy teams should be about that. Can he be a quality starter?

"Smith has stepped up in each of the past two years when injuries derailed Delanie Walker's seasons," notes the story. Walker is gone, so the job is Smith's.

Keep in mind, though, that Walker made it through only 6 games last season. Smith was the team's top tight end for the other 10 games a year ago, and his production was just decent -- a serviceable starter in typical leagues, but nothing to get really excited about.

In those 10 games, he played over 70 percent of the snaps in all of them. He caught 29 passes for 342 yards and 3 TDs. Those per-game averages of 2.9-34.2-.30 rank him 16th in PPR scoring, among all tight ends who started at least half the season.

TIGHT END RECEIVING PER GAME, 2019 (8-PLUS STARTS)
PlayerStNoRecTDFPG
Travis Kelce, K.C.166.176.8.3816.0
George Kittle, S.F.146.175.2.3615.7
Austin Hooper, Atl.135.860.5.4914.7
Zach Ertz, Phil.155.961.1.4214.5
Mark Andrews, Balt.154.356.8.6713.9
Darren Waller, Oak.165.671.6.1913.9
Evan Engram, NYG85.558.4.3813.6
Hunter Henry, LAC124.654.3.4412.7
Jared Cook, N.O.143.150.4.6412.0
Tyler Higbee, LAR154.648.9.2010.7
Jacob Hollister, Sea.84.538.9.3810.6
Dallas Goedert, Phil.153.940.5.339.9
Jason Witten, Dall.163.933.1.278.9
Greg Olsen, Car.143.742.6.148.8
Mike Gesicki, Mia.163.235.6.318.6
Jonnu Smith, Tenn.102.934.2.308.1
Eric Ebron, Ind.112.834.1.277.9
Ryan Griffin, NYJ132.624.6.417.5
Noah Fant, Den.162.535.1.197.1
Kyle Rudolph, Min.162.422.9.407.1
Jack Doyle, Ind.162.728.0.257.0
Gerald Everett, LAR132.831.4.156.9
Darren Fells, Hou.162.121.3.446.9
T.J. Hockenson, Det.122.730.6.176.7
Tyler Eifert, Cin.162.727.3.216.7
Jimmy Graham, G.B.162.427.9.196.3
O.J. Howard, T.B.142.432.8.076.1
Vance McDonald, Pitt.142.719.5.216.0
Cameron Brate, T.B.162.319.4.255.7
Jordan Akins, Hou.162.326.1.135.6
Blake Jarwin, Dall.161.922.8.195.3
Foster Moreau, Oak.131.613.4.385.3
Dawson Knox, Buff.151.925.9.135.3
Irv Smith, Min.162.319.4.134.9
Ricky Seals-Jones, Cle.121.117.9.334.9
Hayden Hurst, Balt.161.921.8.134.8
Nick Boyle, Balt.161.920.1.134.7
Josh Hill, N.O.161.614.1.194.1
Jeremy Sprinkle, Was.111.716.9.094.0
C.J. Uzomah, Cin.161.715.1.134.0
Anthony Firkser, Ten.91.316.9.113.7
Demetrius Harris, Cle.141.110.6.243.6
Benjamin Watson, N.E.101.717.3.003.4
Charles Clay, Ariz.151.215.8.073.2
Matt LaCosse, N.E.111.211.9.092.9
Trey Burton, Chi.81.810.5.002.8
Maxx Williams, Ariz.16.912.6.062.6
Adam Shaheen, Chi.81.19.3.042.3
Marcedes Lewis, G.B.16.99.8.062.3
Jeff Heuerman, Den.141.08.1.072.2
Jesse James, Det.161.08.9.001.9
Stephen Carlson, Cle.9.65.7.111.8
Tyler Kroft, Buff.11.56.5.091.7
Durham Smythe, Mia.16.44.1.00.8

The Titans resigned Anthony Firkser and MyCole Pruitt, with Firkser (who had a trio of 3-catch games last year) a bigger threat to take targets away. Smith wasn't so good in relief of Walker last year to think he'll be a top-10 tight end, but top-15 looks within the realm of possibility. Not a guy to target, but some upside potential.

--Andy Richardson

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