5 Minnesota Vikings players with nothing to prove in 2019

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - SEPTEMBER 09: Harrison Smith #22 of the Minnesota Vikings celebrates after recovering a fumbled ball in the second quarter of the game against the San Francisco 49ers at U.S. Bank Stadium on September 9, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - SEPTEMBER 09: Harrison Smith #22 of the Minnesota Vikings celebrates after recovering a fumbled ball in the second quarter of the game against the San Francisco 49ers at U.S. Bank Stadium on September 9, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) Irv Smith Jr.
(Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) Irv Smith Jr. /

5. Irv Smith Jr., tight end

This is the most debatable name on the list, but there are some reasons why a rookie tight end for the Minnesota Vikings would have absolutely nothing to prove after being a second-round draft choice.

Minnesota already has great weapons on offense. Even if Smith doesn’t produce the way some fans hope he will, there will be plenty of opportunities for him to grow and develop behind Kyle Rudolph on the depth chart.

Add in the fact that Smith is unlikely to take many targets away from guys like Stefon Diggs and Adam Thielen, and you have a player who can have a stat line of 30 catches for 350 yards and three touchdowns and have that year be considered a success.

While the others on this list have nothing to prove because of their established play, the Vikings have set Smith up for a situation where he doesn’t have to rush into things or do too much as a rookie. This should only help his development at the NFL level, as should learning from someone like Kyle Rudolph.

Must Read. Predicting the Vikings 53-man roster. light

Which other players from the Minnesota Vikings do you feel have absolutely nothing to prove during the 2019 NFL season? And do you disagree with any of the names on this list? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section!