Vikings Training Camp 2021: Top 4 takeaways from Day 6
By Adam Carlson
![(Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports) Irv Smith Jr. (Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports) Irv Smith Jr.](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2Fthevikingage-com-2Fwp-content-2Fuploads-2Fimagn-images-2F2018-2F08-2F16490317-850x560-f622b7ef8845da4d2e59aa79103c0fa69d30ec0c8b15a601b5a302cfc240c35c.jpg)
It will be odd to see the Minnesota Vikings without tight end Kyle Rudolph on the field as the starting tight end. The Notre Dame alum had been such a major part of the team for many years but now it is up to a new player to take the lead.
Irv Smith Jr. has been primed for a breakout for a while. With an expanded role and a bigger snap count, he should have career-high numbers in receptions, yardage, and touchdowns in 2021 barring any setbacks.
According to Courtney Cronin on Twitter, Smith has been excellent in training camp. She recounted a nice one-handed catch on Tuesday and how he scored twice in red-zone drills during practice.
Of course, Smith will be sharing receptions with quite a few players since Adam Thielen, Justin Jefferson, and Dalvin Cook are all expected to have key roles in the Vikings passing game. However, having a shifty and reliable target like Smith should ease some of the pressure off those primary targets.