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Irv Smith Jr. 2022 NFL Player Outlook: Breakout Finally Coming
3 years agoEntering 2021, Minnesota Vikings tight end Irv Smith Jr. held a lot of promise because of his opportunity for targets, high draft capital (50th overall in 2019), and athletic profile. Unfortunately, he suffered a season-ending meniscus injury during the preseason, ending his chance for a breakout. While the 23-year-old is still recovering from the injury, the expectation is that he will be healthy for Week 1 and could be ready for training camp in late July. In 2020, Smith Jr. played behind Kyle Rudolph, limiting his involvement to only 30 receptions; however, he still managed to accumulate 365 receiving yards and five receiving touchdowns, utilizing his 6'2", 242 lb frame to showcase his red-zone prowess. Since 2020, the team has let Kyle Rudolph and Tyler Conklin leave, cementing the Alabama product atop the depth chart. Additionally, many expected the Vikings to bolster their offense. Yet, they neglected to add a wide receiver and did not draft a tight end until the seventh round, placing Smith Jr. behind only Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen as the third target in an offense that ranked 11th in passing attempts last season. Smith Jr. is currently ranked 17th in Rotoballer's rankings with an ADP of 147 overall, requiring a minimal investment for a tight end who will receive increased volume and red-zone targets, with top 12 upside.
