Titans' Jonnu Smith was elite among TEs at missed tackles forced in 2019

Tennessee Titans tight end Jonnu Smith may have gotten off to a slow start the first time he was called upon to step up in Delanie Walker’s absence in 208, but he was incredibly efficient in when asked to do so in 2019.

When Pro Football Focus released its metrics on tight ends with most missed tackles forced on the 2019 season, Smith found himself at third on the list with a total of 14.

And he’s in impressive company, behind just San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (20) and tight end Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs (18).

This is especially impressive, given that Smith (39) had less than half the amount of touches that Kittle (90) and Kelce (98) had. Of course, those include the rushing attempts that each player had, also.

In 2019, Smith was targeted 44 times and recorded 35 receptions for 439 yards and three touchdowns as one of the team’s most versatile players within the offense.

Kittle was targeted 107 times, reeling in 85 passes for 1,053 yards and five scores, while Kelce was thrown to 136 times, turning 97 of those into receptions for 1,229 yards and five scores.

This seems to be only the beginning for Smith, who has steadily gained momentum in Nashville over the past two years.

Expect him to step into an even larger role in 2020 under offensive coordinator Arthur Smith.