Tag: irv smith jr.

3 Vikings’ offensive players who need to step up in 2020

Here are three players who need to step up in 2020 if the Vikings have a chance of making a run for a Super Bowl.

The Vikings’ offense had a solid 2019 season, but it wasn’t enough to get over the hump against the 49ers in the playoffs.

Here are three players who need to step up in 2020 if the Vikings have a chance of making a run for a Super Bowl.

C, Garrett Bradbury

The 18th pick in the 2019 NFL Draft was somewhat of a disappointment as a rookie.

He finished with a Pro Football Focus grade of just 57.6, a mark that ranked 30th of 38 graded centers.

Given Bradbury’s work ethic, a natural progression should come in his second season. That could go a long way to improve the team’s offense now led by Gary Kubiak.

TE, Irv Smith Jr.

This isn’t a knock on the 2019 second-round pick at all. He was pretty solid as a rookie, finishing with 36 catches for 311 yards and two touchdowns. I would expect Smith to get more reps as a pass catcher in his second season. There’s a good chance Smith replaces Kyle Rudolph as the team’s main pass-catching tight end.

WR, Chad Beebe

This spot could really go to any receiver with hopes of being WR3 on the depth chart behind Adam Thielen and Stefon Diggs.

The team will surely sign a free agent and/or draft a receiver to compete for this spot as well.

Please not Laquon Treadwell.

For Beebe, he’s a player who has shown potential but hasn’t been able to stay healthy in his two-year career.

It will be a big year for Beebe, 25, financially, too. He’ll be a restricted free agent at the end of the season.

Where does Vikings’ 2019 rookie class rank?

Garrett Bradbury was disappointing, but three other players on the offensive side of the ball were impressive.

With the 2019 NFL season over (besides that one really important game), we know how each team’s 2019 draft class played out.

The folks over at Pro Football Focus ranked every team’s draft class and the Vikings ranked right in the middle of the pack at 15.

Here’s a snippet of what PFF writer Ben Linsey wrote about the Vikings:

Though first-round pick Garrett Bradbury had a rough rookie season — he was constantly beaten by pass-rushers foaming at the mouth to get an opportunity against him — the rest of the Vikings’ class had some bright spots. Their next two selections — tight end Irv Smith Jr. and running back Alexander Mattison — both appeared capable of being starting-caliber players on a good offense.

To recap:

  • Garrett Bradbury: Not as good as everyone thought he would be.
  • Alexander Mattison and Irv Smith Jr.: Probably a very bright future.
  • Bisi Johnson: Looked like a steal in the seventh round.

You would have liked to see more rookies step up, but Bradbury will improve in season No. 2, and both Mattison and Smith Jr. looked to have big roles with this team for years to come.

Vikings TE Irv Smith Jr. makes NFL.com’s All-Rookie Team

Vikings tight end Irv Smith Jr. has been solid for Minnesota in his rookie season.

Vikings tight end Irv Smith Jr. has been solid for Minnesota in his rookie season.

The second-round pick out of Alabama has 28 catches for 267 yards and a touchdown. While those numbers might not jump out, it’s worth noting that Smith is doing this behind Kyle Rudolph on the roster.

His performance has earned him a spot on NFL.com’s 2019 Offensive All-Rookie Team.

Here’s a snippet of what was written about Smith:

It’s a major upset that neither Iowa Hawkeyes standout claimed this spot, but Denver’s Noah Fant has been one of the most mistake-prone starters at any position and Detroit’s T.J. Hockenson wasn’t much better before landing on injured reserve with an ankle ailment sustained on Thanksgiving Day. Smith has been better than advertised as a blocker while helping to fill the receiving void left by Pro Bowl wideout Adam Thielen’s extended absence due to a hamstring injury.

Smith has a Pro Football Focus grade of 66.9, a mark that ranks 24th among tight ends in the NFL.