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Do the Dolphins have enough at tight end? Here's why they're not panicking.

The Dolphins added a tight end on Tuesday, and it's something they needed to do.

Tyler Kroft has played 92 games over eight seasons for the Bengals, Bills, Jets and 49ers.

And while Kroft has never been and will never be Mike Gesicki — who left in free agency for the Patriots — he is a capable veteran who provides depth behind Durham Smythe and Eric Saubert.

Kroft, a solid blocker, also has 13 career touchdowns, which is more than Smythe and Saubert combined.

Smythe and Saubert, capable blockers, have totaled 153 games played, with five touchdowns.

The Dolphins did not have enough at tight end, and that's why they added Kroft.

But general manager Chris Grier has been on record as saying the media is more worried about depth at tight end (and offensive line) than the organization is.

And we are here to explain why we get it. And why he's probably right (at least about tight end).

Surely Miami will develop converted wide receivers Tanner Conner and Elijah Higgins, excellent receivers.

But more importantly, research shows Miami coach Mike McDaniel does not need two tight ends on the field to field a successful offense. Last year, he much preferred two running backs or three receivers.

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On 1st-and-10, McDaniel used one tight end for 349 plays.

On 1st-and-10, McDaniel used two tight ends for 54 plays.

That's 87 percent of those plays with only one tight end!

(By comparison, on 1st-and-10 plays under Brian Flores-George Godsey-Eric Studesville-Charlie Frye in 2021, Miami used two- and three-tight end formations on 80 percent of plays!)

And Miami was one of the very best teams in the NFL in average yards gained on 1st-and-10 while using one tight end and two receivers/two running backs or three receivers/one running back.

What does this mean?

Well, it means that if Smythe or Saubert are on the field on a 1st-and-10, McDaniel seems more likely to use Braxton Berrios/Devon Achane/Chosen Anderson/Cedrick Wilson/Alec Ingold/River Cracraft as a complement to Tyrek Hill and Jaylen Waddle than a second tight end.

That could be why Miami went for Achane, an explosive running back would should be able to play receiver, too, in Round 3 instead of a rookie tight end they weren't particularly fired up about.

Even on 3rd-and-1 last season, McDaniel was as likely to use one tight end (10 plays) and two tight ends (10 plays).

Having an effective blocking fullback like Ingold (who can also catch) as an option helps.

On 4th-and-1, McDaniel did use two tight ends (7 plays) a bit more than one (4 plays).

But if McDaniel wants he could always use both Smythe and/or Saubert and/or Kroft (who are all pretty sizable and strong) or Ingold or even a sixth offensive lineman, whomever that may be.

Miami needed to add Kroft, in part, to protect against injury to Smythe or Saubert.

The tight end market was pretty thin.

Miami chose Kroft over other free agent veterans like Cameron Brate, Marcedes Lewis, Adam Shaheen, Jesse James, Maxx Williams and Foster Moreau.

Adding Kroft now allows his to get a head start on a somewhat intricate offensive system.

The first reason Grier and McDaniel are not hyperventilating about a replacement for Gesicki's 2022 catches (52) and touchdowns (5) is that Hill and Waddle totaled 53 percent of Miami's receiving production last season.

As long as they’re healthy, that's where Tua Tagovailoa will lean.

The second is that McDaniel has decided his team will not be among the league's laggards in team rushes again. More rushes means fewer overall receiving targets.

(Though Smythe and/or Saubert and/or Kroft could see theoretically see more time together when the team needs one or two yards for a first down to gain.)

And finally, and perhaps most importantly, it seems that devoid of two George Kittle-caliber tight ends on the roster, McDaniel is more-than-comfortable using one tight end on the field at a time, in most situations.

Joe Schad is a journalist covering the Miami Dolphins and the NFL at The Palm Beach Post. You can reach him at.jschad@pbpost.com and follow him on Instagram and Twitter @schadjoe. Sign up for Joe's free weekly Dolphins Pulse Newsletter. Help support our work by subscribing today

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Miami Dolphins' tight ends are few and far between