Ihmir Smith-Marsette – WR
Acquiring a playmaker that could emerge as a true third wide receiver was high on the list of priorities where the Minnesota Vikings were concerned. They chose not to use one of their top-end selections on this area of the field due to the big holes elsewhere, but they did select an intriguing prospect who could have a ton of upside in Ihmir Smith-Marsette.
The Iowa product can line up almost anywhere across the line of scrimmage and even take carries out of the backfield should the Vikings choose to utilize him in this way. Smith-Marsette is also a solid kick returner to add another dimension to his game.
Simply put, this sort of versatility is something Minnesota has been crying out for ever since the days of Cordarrelle Patterson and Percy Harvin.
Smith-Marsette isn’t going to reach Harvin’s level of elusiveness. He’s still a bit of an unknown in terms of what he can actually bring to the pros, so keeping an eye on the way he conducts himself on and off the field during rookie minicamp will be important for the Vikings to form some sort of plan on how to maximize his potential.
4 Vikings rookies who will make the biggest impact in 2021
Which college prospects drafted by the Minnesota Vikings could have the biggest impact in 2021 as the team looks to make a postseason return?
One area the wideout will help is in the red zone. Smith-Marsette is a physical presence off the block who creates separation quickly, which is always a highly sought-after commodity in the NFL.