6 most overrated Minnesota Vikings players on the 2022 roster

Irv Smith Jr. – TE

Last summer, Irv Smith Jr. was the talk of training camp. Smith was turning heads with multiple jaw-dropping catches out on the practice fields at the TCO Performance Center.

But then the young tight end suffered an injury during the preseason and it required him to undergo surgery that kept him sidelined for the entire 2021 regular season.

Now entering the final year of his rookie contract, many are expecting Smith to pick up right where he left off during last summer’s training camp.

It won’t be shocking if Smith is able to put together another impressive performance in camp this year, but his play in actual meaningful games is what will matter the most.

The last time we saw Smith on the field in the regular season was in 2020. In 13 games that year, he finished with just 30 catches for 365 yards and five touchdowns. He did share snaps with Kyle Rudolph in 2020, but 30 catches is nothing to get excited about for someone who is now supposed to be the No. 1 tight end for Minnesota.

Until he can prove otherwise and stay on the field, it’s hard to envision Smith making a big impact for the Vikings next season.