The Viking Age
FanSided

5 Vikings players who could have bigger roles in 2020

By Nik Edlund

ARLINGTON, TEXAS - NOVEMBER 10: Darian Thompson #23 of the Dallas Cowboys attempts to tackle Irv Smith Jr. #84 of the Minnesota Vikings during the first half at AT&T Stadium on November 10, 2019 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TEXAS - NOVEMBER 10: Darian Thompson #23 of the Dallas Cowboys attempts to tackle Irv Smith Jr. #84 of the Minnesota Vikings during the first half at AT&T Stadium on November 10, 2019 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images) Irv Smith Jr.
(Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images) Irv Smith Jr. /

Irv Smith Jr. – TE

Irv Smith Jr. had a very promising rookie season. He ran a bit hot and cold, but he finished with 36 receptions for 311 yards and two touchdowns. Smith almost looked like a wide receiver at times out there with this lanky limbs and slender frame. His slight build didn’t negatively impact his blocking, as he made plenty of key blocks that sprang Dalvin Cook or Alexander Mattison for extra yardage.

With Kyle Rudolph on the roster, Smith’s impact as a rookie was always going to be limited. Factor in Stefon Diggs and Adam Thielen, as well as Cook, and there were only so many targets that could go around. So the fact that the rookie was able to haul in as many balls as he did this season was impressive.

Smith should be in for an expanded role in year two. This guy is just too explosive to not feature in the offense. There were many times were Smith was just an arm tackle away from breaking off a huge gainer. Many times it seemed like he was on the verge of a breakout game, but that just never ended up happening.

Rudolph will be another year older in 2020 and he could begin to slow down. The Vikings could look to him as more of a red-zone threat and let Smith get more work down the seam and in the middle of the field.

There aren’t many linebackers in the league who can cover Smith and this just seems like an underused aspect of Kevin Stefanski’s offense that we may see in full force with Minnesota in 2020.

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