4 secret weapons on the Minnesota Vikings in 2022
By Dean Jones
Irv Smith Jr. – TE
It might seem strange for Irv Smith Jr. to be classed as a secret weapon heading into the final year of his rookie deal. But the tight end wasn’t seen at all last season due to injury, and if opposing teams forget about his exceptional talent, they might just pay the price.
The Vikings drafted Smith to be Kyle Rudolph’s successor and it looked as if he was well on track to accomplish this objective before a serious knee injury derailed his progress. Hopefully, the Alabama product will be at full health in time for Week 1, which would be a huge lift for an offense that could be set for great things under Kevin O’Connell.
Smith has everything one looks for in a productive pass-catching tight end in the NFL. His length, ball skills, and athleticism make him a matchup nightmare, which could make all the difference with Tyler Conklin no longer around.
The potential is all there for Smith to have a sensational season if there are no further complications on the health front. Considering the Vikings have an outstanding wide receiver trio, room to work shouldn’t be a problem for the former second-round pick, either.
There is also some added incentive for Smith in 2022. If his influence increases and numbers surge, then the Vikings would be wise to hand the player a lengthy contract extension to prevent him from hitting the free-agent market.
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