Jonnu Smith: Tua Tagovailoa Is 'the Best QB in the World' After Dolphins Win vs. Jets

Miami Dolphins tight end Jonnu Smith had the highest possible praise for quarterback Tua Tagovailoa after the two linked up for a game-winning touchdown pass in overtime of Sunday's 32-26 win over the New York Jets.

"It was kind of off schedule," he told SI.com's Albert Breer of the play. "Tua just sat in the pocket and found me. I just locked eyes with him. I knew what was coming. We got the best quarterback in the world. He couldn't have thrown a better ball."

"I'm here with him day in and day out," he continued. "I see it. If you were a receiver, pass catcher, you'd want this guy as a quarterback, end of story. He throws the most catchable ball you can imagine, beyond accurate. Just poise in the pocket, a great person, a great leader, all of these things that you want in your quarterback. I've been around a lot of guys, a lot of great quarterbacks. This guy, to me, right now, I always say it, he's the best quarterback in the world right now."

Most NFL fans and pundits would probably say that's a bit of an exaggeration. Three-time champion and two-time MVP Patrick Mahomes is still playing, after all, and then there is this season's MVP frontrunner in Josh Allen, two-time MVP Lamar Jackson and Joe Burrow to also consider.

But Tagovailoa is starting to make a case for being the fifth-best quarterback in football this season. He's now thrown for 2,456 yards, 17 touchdowns and four interceptions in nine games, completing 73.8 percent of his passes while taking 18 sacks. The 6-7 Dolphins are 5-4 in his starts and looking to crawl their way back into playoff contention.

They'll probably need to win out to have a shot. If Tagovailoa continues to play at a high level and stays healthy, however, it's not out of the question. Smith, at the very least, believes in him wholeheartedly.