4 bold predictions for the Vikings 2021 rookie class

Smith-Marsette will emerge as Minnesota’s No. 3 receiver

Minnesota’s No. 3 receiver typically doesn’t have a large role in their current offensive scheme. But it’s still important for the team to have a third wide receiver next season who is talented enough to fill in for Adam Thielen or Justin Jefferson if one of them has to miss any time due to injury.

Chad Beebe and Bisi Johnson are not the guys the Vikings want to use as a temporary No. 2 receiver in 2021, but a guy they just selected in the fifth round of this year’s NFL Draft is.

Former Iowa pass-catcher Ihmir Smith-Marsette was Minnesota’s first of two fifth-round picks last weekend and he is full of potential. During his college career, he scored a total of 20 touchdowns as a receiver, a rusher, and a returner.

With a 14.7 yards per catch average at Iowa, Smith-Marsette can provide the Vikings with the ability to stretch the field, unlike Beebe and Johnson. Minnesota’s newest receiver made a ton of plays in college and there’s reason to believe he’ll continue to do the same in a purple and gold uniform.