Terry Fontenot hasn’t been flawless in the NFL draft, but what general manager is? To some extent, the Falcons have done well, but Fontenot has excelled in terms of pro personnel.
The Falcons have spent wisely in terms of dollars and cents. The big-name free agents have worked out, which may be an understatement. Atlanta’s defensive comeback has been aided by Terry Fontenotand David Onyemata.
Jessie Bates, who received the biggest free agency contract of the current regime’s tenure, has been the best safety in football and should be considered for Defensive Player of the Year.
Even more so, it is the modest steps that have had the most influence. Cordarrelle Patterson hasn’t played as much this season, but he had a great year in 2021 and 2022. The Falcons acquired Jonnu Smith this summer after he failed to live up to the terms of his contract with the Patriots.
Smith agreed to modify his contract once he arrived in Atlanta. Under Arthur Smith, the veteran tight end has seen a career renaissance after reuniting with his former offensive coordinator.
Jonnu Smith has a career-high in yards (553), as well as receptions (47), with two games remaining in the 2023 season. To suggest that the acquisition was a success would be an understatement.
ESPN’s Bill Barnwell listed Jonnu Smith in his list of the top value contracts for the 2023 season.
Falcons Jonnu Smith
Two-year, $10 million contract
Smith is making $3.5 million this year as part of a restructured contract after being traded to the Falcons for the 245th overall pick in the draft in April. Smith signed a huge contract with the Patriots in 2021 after Bill Belichick hyped him as the finest yards-after-catch tight end in league, then scarcely employed him in the passing offense, with Smith running roughly 10 routes per game. Before being dumped on the Falcons, he had only 539 receiving yards in two seasons.
While his success has frequently come at the expense of Kyle Pitts, Smith has been a valuable component in an often-confusing Falcons attack. He has caught 47 passes for 553 yards, surpassing his two-season total with the Pats before the 2023 season has even begun. The veteran tight end is averaging roughly 9.0 yards per target and 1.9 yards per route run, which ranks sixth among tight ends. He can also block! I wouldn’t want to construct the entire offense around him, but Smith has been a key addition as a big-play target off of leak and play-action concepts.
Jonnu Smith was a key component in the few good attacking performances of the 2023 season, and he’s under contract through 2024. This is again another brilliant move by Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot.
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