The Rookie: Irv Smith Jr.
While we know what we are getting with Rudolph, Smith’s role seems to remain a mystery. The Alabama product ran a 4.63 40-yard dash and racked up 710 yards and seven touchdowns in his final season in Tuscaloosa and his athleticism and his jack of all trades style should be a nice complement to Rudolph.
If there’s a strength to Smith’s game, it’s his ability to turn in big plays. Smith turned in 16.1 yards per catch in his junior year and Alabama offensive coordinator Michael Locksley did a great job of scheming him out into space and using his athleticism to rack up the yards on even the most simple of routes.
While Kevin Stefanski is the offensive coordinator, there will be elements of Offensive Consultant Gary Kubiak‘s offense from his time with the Denver Broncos, Houston Texans and Baltimore Ravens. During those stops, Kubiak made Owen Daniels, Dennis Pitta, and others relevant thanks to a tendency to use the tight end all over the field.
With Smith’s ability to block along with receiving skills, he could be a chess piece that wasn’t available at tight end a year ago. If they’re able to use Smith all over the field, that should open things up for Rudolph and the rest of the Vikings offense.