Grading the Vikings 2019 NFL Draft class after year one

Irv Smith Jr. – TE (Pick No. 50)

Production: 

Irv Smith Jr. was active in all 16 games for the Vikings in 2019. He started seven of these and he totaled 36 receptions for 311 yards and two touchdowns.

With Kyle Rudolph already on the roster, Smith’s impact was always going to be limited. Still, with all the starts and the decent production, Minnesota really couldn’t have asked for much more from the second-rounder.

Grade: B+

Performance: 

The Vikings have to be pretty happy with Smith’s overall performance this season. He played well and he was an extremely quick and explosive weapon at the tight end position. He didn’t have many drops and overcame his early-season mistakes, where he was lining up in the wrong spots on a few plays and formations.

While his overall numbers weren’t overly impressive, he did have a handful of grabs that were called back due to penalties. It always seemed like Smith was ready to bust out with a huge game, but it never happened. He improved as a blocker as the season wore on and overall, had a very solid rookie year with Minnesota.

Grade: B+