Despite a year that was good compared to rookie tight ends, Irv Smith Jr. is a player who could be used more, according to one outlet.
Pro Football Focus listed each player that their team underuses. For the Vikings, it was Smith Jr., who is entering his second NFL season. Here’s what the outlet said about the tight end:
“Of course, an injury to Rudolph would open the door for Smith to assume a much larger role. Expect fireworks if this comes to fruition; the man is a baller.
Smith is the fantasy football discount version of Dallas Goedert: extremely talented and capable of supplying top-five production with a full-time role he won’t get without injury or suspension to the team’s actual starter.”
Smith Jr. is a player who could break out with more reps. He had 311 receiving yards and two touchdowns in 2019. Vikings offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak has liked to use two tight end sets in the past, so he might not even have to be the first-option tight end to have a big year.