5 most explosive players on the Vikings 2021 offense

Irv Smith Jr. – TE

Vikings fans have been waiting for Irv Smith Jr. to bust out since he was drafted back in 2018 and this is going to be the season where we see him finally become that explosive weapon in the offense.

Smith did finish the 2020 season on a high note. He caught 15 passes for 183 yards and three touchdowns in the final four games. He averaged a little over 14 yards a reception in that stretch, showing that explosive big-play ability.

There’s no reason to think those numbers can’t carry over to this upcoming season. The Vikings offense is pretty loaded and opposing defenses will be focusing on shutting down players like Dalvin Cook, Justin Jefferson, and Adam Thielen. This should create plenty of opportunities for Smith where he’s singled up against a linebacker or safety, and those are matchups he should exploit.

Smith is really built more like a wide receiver with a slender frame and lanky limbs. He’s apparently in the best shape of his career and he has the speed and elusiveness to rack up some serious yardage after the catch.

It seems like every year we say Smith is going to explode in this offense, but this is definitely the season it is going to happen.