Tag: Ihmir Smith-Marsette

Vikings coach Mike Zimmer addresses Minnesota’s wide receiver three position

How will the Minnesota Vikings fill the void at wide receiver three? Mike Zimmer talked about the position recently.

The Vikings have a menacing wideout duo in Adam Thielen and Justin Jefferson. But Minnesota, like so many other teams, start to drop off in talent beyond the first two wide receivers on the depth chart.

That makes the wide receiver three battle pretty important. The Vikings could use a wideout with big-play potential to fill the void at wide receiver three.

Minnesota coach Mike Zimmer recently talked about that spot:

“It’s really hard to tell,” Zimmer said. “I really like some of these guys. Some of the young guys we drafted. Even Blake Proehl, I think he’s done a nice job. We still got [Chad] Beebe. K.J. Osborn has had a really nice camp. Even [Dan] Chisena has done a really good job when we thought of him being maybe just a special teams player. They’ve all kind of grown as they’re moving forward here. Thank goodness we have some of these preseason games to get a look at some of these guys as well. But I think once we get into camp, we’ll find out a little more about some of them.”

The wide receiver Minnesota drafted, Ihmir Smith-Marsette, would be an interesting choice. It’s a big role to put on a fifth-rounder, but if Smith-Marsette can take the top off the defense every now and then, the Vikings could be looking at a changed offense.

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A look at the Big Ten leaders in touchdown receptions in 2020

In fact, Ferguson was one of the only tight ends to make the top 15 in touchdown receptions in the Big Ten in 2020. The Madison, Wisconsi…

Although much of Wisconsin’s receiving core battled injuries last season, tight end Jake Ferguson remained a consistent target for redshirt freshman quarterback Graham Mertz. Ferguson may not have had his stats from a typical season, but he was the number one option for Wisconsin in the passing game last year.

In fact, Ferguson was one of the only tight ends to make the top 15 in touchdown receptions in the Big Ten in 2020. The Madison, Wisconsin, native’s consistent presence in the passing game has helped multiple Wisconsin quarterbacks adjust to playing in the Big Ten over his Badger career, and it will be a welcome sight to see him returning alongside Mertz next season.

Below is the ranking of the top 15 players in touchdown receptions from the Big Ten Conference 2020 season. Players from Wisconsin, Ohio State, Penn State, Michigan State, Maryland, Illinois, Indiana, Purdue and Rutgers made the rankings.

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Two positions on the Vikings that may have not been filled through the draft

The Minnesota Vikings could still have holes, even though the team has 11 NFL draft picks in 2021.

Minnesota had 11 picks when the 2021 draft was all done. With those choices, the Vikings made moves to revamp the offensive line and add interesting depth players for next season.

Not only that, but the Vikings made sure to add draft capital to the quarterback position by taking Texas A&M QB Kellen Mond in the third round. Mond has high potential and could be the future starting quarterback in Minnesota.

Minnesota even made sure to add some decent punt return and kick return prospects.

That said, there are still some holes on the Vikings. Here are two that may still be problem areas after the draft:

Vikings select Iowa WR Ihmir Smith-Marsette in the 2021 NFL draft

The Minnesota Vikings have added a wide receiver: Iowa WR Ihmir Smith-Marsette, who was picked in the fifth round of the 2021 NFL draft.

Minnesota has Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen at the top of the wide receiver depth chart.

But beyond that, there are some concerns. Chad Beebe and Bisi Johnson are both decent depth players, but it’d be great if the team invested draft capital in landing a wide receiver three.

Could Ihmir Smith-Marsette be the Vikings’ wide receiver three? If so, the team got a steal by landing him in the fifth round of the 2021 NFL draft on Saturday.  However, Minnesota probably should have invested in a player earlier than this if the team wanted to revolutionize the passing game of its offense.

Still, Smith-Marsette can be a useful reserve. He had 345 receiving yards and four touchdown receptions in seven games for the Hawkeyes in his final collegiate season. The year before that, he had 722 receiving yards and five touchdown receptions. We’ll see if Smith-Marsette can break through at the NFL level.

Rookie Rundown: WR Ihmir Smith-Marsette, Iowa

Could the NFL and fantasy footballers have a sleeper on their hands?

Iowa wide receiver Ihmir Smith-Marsette enters the 2021 NFL Draft as one of the most explosive weapons in the vertical game. In his four years playing for the Hawkeyes, “ISM” delivered the goods as a receiver, rusher and special teams returner with explosive success.

Many people may recognize him from an ill-fated flip into the end zone that resulted in a sprained ankle in December of last year. While it may have been a poor decision in hindsight, Smith-Marsette said he’d do it again as it was his final game in his home stadium. It may prove to be a cautionary tale, although it shouldn’t be held against him when evaluating his overall body of work.

Height: 6-foot-0 1/2
Weight: 181 pounds
40 time: 4.43 seconds

The above measurables are from Iowa’s recent pro day. Smith-Marsette stood out among his school’s peers, displaying his speed, quickness and agility … every bit helps in a year without a scouting combine.

Table: Ihmir Smith-Marsette NCAA stats (2017-20)

Year
School
Class
Gm
Receiving
Rushing
Rec Yds Avg TD Att Yds Avg TD
2017
Iowa
FR
11
18
187
10.4
2
7
41
5.9
0
2018
Iowa
SO
12
23
361
15.7
3
9
71
7.9
0
2019
Iowa
JR
13
44
722
16.4
5
11
108
9.8
3
2020
Iowa
SR
7
25
345
13.8
4
7
54
7.7
1
Career
110
1,615
14.7
14
34
274
8.1
4

*includes postseason/bowl games

Used in a number of ways, but primarily lined up as the “Z” (flanker) receiver, ISM made plays as a freshman and continued to improve over the next couple of seasons. He may be pigeon-holed as a slot receiver in the NFL.

The Hawkeyes played only eight games in 2020, and there was a quarterback switch after 2019 after Nate Stanley was drafted. The program turned to redshirt sophomore Spencer Petras, which returned mixed results for Smith-Marsette.

Pros

  • Electric, game-changing ability in the open field
  • Adept at tracking the ball over his shoulders and not losing a step
  • Versatility will immediately endear him to an NFL franchise — can line up inside and out, run jet sweeps, and contribute as a return man
  • Demonstrated consistent ability to come back for an underthrown pass and make a play on the ball
  • Moves effortlessly in traffic and displays plus read-and-react skills
  • Averaged 28.7 yards per kickoff return and scored twice
  • NFL-based offensive system will help prepare him
  • Serious upside to expand his game into being more well-rounded

Cons

  • Arrested Nov. 2020 for driving under the influence and speeding
  • The aforementioned celebratory flip-turned-injury will turn off some teams
  • Slight frame impacts his role and ability to contribute as a blocker — also begs the question about whether he can beat press-man coverage on the outside
  • Limited route tree — not that he is incapable of being better in this area, but Iowa didn’t ask him to run many intermediate paths
  • Suspect hands early in his career — while improved, some of it has been masked by route choices and shaky QB play

Fantasy football outlook

With an expected draft placement in the Round 3 neighborhood, it’s unlikely Smith-Marsette will be featured in his rookie year. Extenuating circumstances could change this outlook, of course, but fantasy footballers shouldn’t get overly excited right away.

In Year 2 and beyond, ISM should have more considerable potential for a primary role in the offense of his drafting team. His style of play makes ample of sense for the Green Bay Packers, Indianapolis Colts, Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Tennessee Titans, Philadelphia Eagles, Atlanta Falcons, Detroit Lions and New Orleans Saints based on current needs.

Nearly anywhere he lands in the upcoming draft will find creative ways to manufacture touches. Much like his collegiate stats, gamers should expect low-volume, high-output results. In the ideal setting, there’s considerable upside for more from Smith-Marsette.

Bengals had pre-draft meet with WR Ihmir Smith-Marsette

The Cincinnati Bengals have been in contact with a notable WR prospect ahead of the 2021 NFL draft.

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While free agency takes center stage, the Cincinnati Bengals continue to work the paces of the upcoming 2021 NFL draft.

While the Bengals have sent offensive line coaches to certain pro days of top prospects, the team has also been in contact with other prospects.

Such as Iowa wide receiver Ihmir Smith-Marsette, according to The Draft Network’s Justin Melo.

A four-year player at Iowa, Smith-Marsette tallied 1,615 yards and 14 touchdowns for his career, averaging a strong 14.7 yards per catch. He’s a 6’1″ target with experience returning punts and kicks too, which naturally makes him an attractive target for the Bengals.

Cincinnati is bound to attack the wideout position at some point this offseason as they look to get a solid third to run with Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd. Smith-Marsette could fit that, should the team avoid spending on the position in free agency and instead relegate the need to a mid-round pick.

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Report: Jags showing interest in Iowa WR Ihmir Smith-Marsette

The Jags are going to lose at WR in free agency, but they’ve shown interest in a player to replenish it in Iowa WR Ihmir Smith-Marsette.

With Keelan Cole, Dede Westbrook, and Chris Conley all set to be free agents, adding help at receiver should be a priority for the Jacksonville Jaguars this offseason, especially with all three possessing the ability to get vertical. One prospect who could help them with that is Iowa receiver Ihmir Smith-Marsette, who the team has interest in and has/will meet virtually, per Justin Melo of the Draft Network.

Smith-Marsette fits the mold of an Urban Meyer receiver as he can stretch the field, hurt teams out of the backfield, and serve as a returner. In four seasons with the Hawkeyes, he finished his career with 110 career catches for 1,615 yards (good for a 14.7-yard average) and 14 touchdowns. In terms of rushing yards, he was able to garner 274 yards for four touchdowns on the ground.

As a special-teamer, Smith-Marsette registered 57 kickoff returns for 1,520 yards and two touchdowns. Those are numbers that could especially be interesting for the Jags as Cole, who is also a special teams returner, has potentially played his last down as a Jag. However, with solid ball tracking skills and explosive play ability, Smith-Marsette is a similar player who could develop into a big-time contributor with the right coaching. 

At 6-foot-1, 175-pounds, Smith-Marsette has good height but will need to add some muscle to withstand the punishment of the NFL. Smith-Marsette’s stock has varied as some like Pro Football Network’s Tony Pauline has him projected as a third-round pick. Others have him coming off the board as a fifth to sixth-rounder, so maybe somewhere in the middle of those projections (fourth round) is where he will go. 

Iowa’s leading receiver declares for the NFL Draft

Iowa Hawkeye wide receiver Ihmir Smith-Marsette announced earlier today that he is declaring for the 2021 NFL Draft

As the college football season winds to an end, many of the nation’s top players announce their decision of whether or not to enter the NFL Draft.

This year is unlike any other, though, in that every senior was granted an extra year of eligibility and therefore has the option to return next season.

So, instead of hearing seniors declare for the draft and only not play in their team’s bowl game, now these announcements have another full year of impact.

Related: Wisconsin football seniors 2021 roster decision tracker

One of the first big-time decisions came earlier today when Iowa Hawkeye leading receiver Ihmir Smith-Marsette announced he is entering the NFL Draft.

The senior led the Hawkeyes this season with 345 yards and 4 touchdowns on 25 receptions.

Badger fans probably remember his final collegiate play–a long touchdown reception capped off by a front-flip.

TheDraftNetwork currently ranks him as the No. 155 player in the draft class and the No. 20 wide receiver.

Don’t expect any Michigan players to pull a ‘Smith-Marsette’ vs. Iowa on Saturday

Don’t expect to see any Michigan football players react the way the star Hawkeyes WR did if they score a touchdown on Saturday night.

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ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Michigan is set to take on Iowa on Saturday, provided the team is healthy enough to return to action.

One player from the other sideline whose status is potentially in question is Hawkeyes star wide receiver Ihmir Smith-Marsette, who was having a monster game against Wisconsin, with 7 receptions for 140 yards and two touchdowns. However, on his final touchdown, Smith-Marsette decided to show off while putting the nail in the Badgers’ proverbial coffin, doing a flip into the end zone as he crossed the plane.

In the end, it didn’t work out so well.

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Afterward, Marsette headed to the locker room and reemerged wearing a walking boot. Though there’s been no update to his status for the upcoming contest vs. the Wolverines, it serves as something of a cautionary tale for Michigan running back Hassan Haskins, who saw the play happen live.

“I seen that,” “It was all over social media and stuff. I’m trying to stay off social media now and focus on (the game). I didn’t even know we’re playing them at first, (when) I was watching that.

“When I seen that, I was like, ‘I can’t do nothing like that!’ Can’t do no celebration like that no more!”

We’ll see on Saturday if Smith-Marsette is cleared to play. And if he is, don’t expect him or any other player on the field to have a similar celebration that could cost them games in the future.

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