Minnesota Vikings: How the Vikings can utilize Irv Smith Jr.

How the Vikings can best utilize Irv Smith Jr. in 2019

By Chris Schad | Jun 17, 2019

MIAMI GARDENS, FL - DECEMBER 29: Alabama tight end Irv Smith Jr. (82) enters the field prior to the start of the CFP Semifinal at the Orange Bowl between Alabama Crimson Tide and the Oklahoma Sooners on December 29, 2018, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, FL. (Photo by Roy K. Miller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

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(Photo by Ric Tapia/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) Kyle Rudolph /

So what will the Minnesota Vikings do?

After looking at the film, it’s apparent that Smith is a jack of all trades. Whereas Rudolph is the muscle of the duo, Smith is the finesse who is able to line up in the slot, in the backfield and even operate as an inline blocker when the Vikings want to establish the run.

Such a duo could be reminiscent of what the New England Patriots were able to do with Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez back in the early part of this decade. With Gronkowski dominating in the red zone, Hernandez was able to stretch the field and the result was 56 total touchdowns between the two from 2010 to 2012 (with Gronk scoring 38).

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That explosion isn’t likely to happen with Rudolph pushing age 30, but still could lead to similar effectiveness. The Minnesota Vikings have better wide receivers than the Patriots had in those years and if Minnesota can get its running game going along with an effective Kirk Cousins, it’s not far fetched to believe that Smith can have a big impact in his rookie season.

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