Grading the Minnesota Vikings 2019 rookie class after year three

Irv Smith Jr. – TE

Grade: C

Irv Smith Jr. was an exciting pick for the Vikings in 2019. He was seen as an elite pass-catching tight end who was built more like a receiver. It was thought he’d be a dynamic weapon for the Vikings’ passing game, and when paired with Stefon Diggs, Adam Thielen, and Dalvin Cook, the Vikings’ offense would be unstoppable.

While there is still excitement and hope for Smith, the truth is that he’s been way too injury-prone so far in his career. The dude has played in 29 games in three years and started 14. He has 66 career interceptions for 676 yards and seven touchdowns. He missed all of last season with a meniscus injury, and many are wondering if he’ll ever put together a full season.

That is what makes Smith so intriguing. If he does put together a full season and continue to produce the way he was at the end of 2020, he will truly be something special. Smith is extremely dangerous after the catch and can be a nightmare mismatch, and a head coach like Kevin O’Connell is sure to get the most out of him. His grade is complicated because of this.