MIAMI GARDENS — Miami Dolphins offensive coordinator Frank Smith played an integral role in elevating tight end Darren Waller to Pro Bowl levels during their time together with the Raiders, where Smith was tight ends coach from 2018 to 2020.

As Waller is preparing for a potential return off the physically-unable-to-perform list this week, according to coach Mike McDaniel, Smith is confident Waller will be prepared to contribute early on.

“My experience with him, the mental side is an extreme strength of his,” Smith said. “Knowing where he needs to be, terminology, that for him is always just something that comes very natural to him because he’s used to having to line up everywhere, especially at the Raiders.”

Waller, as a 6-foot-6 tight end, can bring a big pass-catching target to the

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