Vikings TE Irv Smith Jr. has taken a ‘significant step forward’ this summer

In his second year, the Minnesota Vikings tight end is progressing nicely.

With their decision to trade Stefon Diggs to the Buffalo Bills back in March, the Minnesota Vikings knew they were going to need someone to step up and make up for his loss in production this season.

Some are expecting Vikings rookie receiver Justin Jefferson to come in and immediately replace the impact Diggs had on the team. But with the lack of practice time this offseason due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Minnesota will likely need the help to come from someone who was already on their 2019 roster.

Out of the guys who could emerge as a legitimate weapon this season for the Vikings with Diggs no longer on the team, second-year tight end Irv Smith Jr. has been a name included in this discussion and he’s apparently been making it known in this summer’s training camp that he’s ready to play a bigger role.

Minnesota Vikings tight end heading towards a big season?

In 2019, Minnesota was lucky enough to get some good production from a talented rookie class that included Smith, Alexander Mattison, Bisi Johnson, Armon Watts, Kris Boyd, and Garrett Bradbury.

All of these players are expected to play important roles for the Vikings in their second year with the team, but it’s Smith who has caught the eye of those reporting from Minnesota’s training camp this summer.

According to Vikings.com’s Lindsey Young, the young Minnesota tight end has taken, “a significant step forward from Year 1 to Year 2.” Smith has made a number of big plays during camp this summer and his coaches have been impressed with his route-running and improved knowledge of the Vikings offensive playbook.

While Minnesota used a first-round pick to draft Jefferson earlier this year, Smith is the guy who could actually end up emerging as the team’s de-facto third receiver this season.

Having him out on the field gives the Vikings the opportunity to create a ton of mismatches. Smith can overpower smaller defensive players with his size and strength or he can use his speed to blow past opposing linebackers who think they can actually cover him.

Last season, he appeared in all 16 of Minnesota’s games and he finished with 36 catches for 311 yards and two touchdowns. Smith’s catch percentage in 2019 (76.6) was also higher than some of the NFL’s best tight ends including Travis Kelce, Zach Ertz, and Hunter Henry.

Fellow Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph ended up making the Pro Bowl during his second season in the league back in 2012. Is Smith’s second year in the NFL also going to result in a trip to the Pro Bowl?