5 potential replacements for Irv Smith Jr. in Minnesota

C.J. Ham

Don’t be surprised if the Minnesota Vikings get a little creative in how they deal with their situation at tight end if Smith isn’t able to suit up for Week 1. They have some options on the roster to fill the gap, and one of those options is to slide a player over to the spot.

C.J. Ham might be known for his work as a fullback, but he has shown not only the blocking skills to play tight end but the ability to be a sneaky receiving option in an offense with a lot of weapons to cause a distraction.

There would be no need for Ham to try to do too much with the shift. He already has 60 catches in his five years with the Vikings where he gained 524 yards and scored two touchdowns as a receiver. He would be doing similar work while being lined up differently.

This might be the wisest option for Minnesota since it means not signing anyone new or rushing anyone into the offense. However, he would lack the explosiveness of Irv Smith Jr. when it comes to picking up yards after the catch, which is something the new Vikings offense will rely on.