4 players the Vikings can feel more comfortable about in 2022

Ihmir Smith-Marsette – WR

Attaining targets within the wide receiver room is a difficult proposition for anyone. The team’s top three wideouts are locked up in Justin Jefferson, Adam Thielen, and K.J. Osborn, who emerged as a true No. 3 threat in 2021 and something the Vikings had been looking for to further boost their explosive offense.

Although it will be difficult, one player that’s taken the bull by the horns this offseason is Ihmir Smith-Marsette. The Iowa product was used sparingly on the offensive rotation as a rookie, but he did catch the eye as a kick returner when given the opportunity.

Smith-Marsette has put this brief experience to good use this offseason, catching the eye with some big plays in camp and demonstrating plenty of explosiveness to further enhance his credentials.

The former fifth-round pick brought in all four of his targets against the San Francisco 49ers in preseason Week 2, displaying the sort of reliability in key moments that will help the Vikings if their primary weapons cannot get open.

Smith-Marsette might be nothing more than a No. 4 option when it’s all said and done. But this would be a step in the right direction after accumulating just six targets as a rookie.

Having an offensive-minded head coach in Kevin O’Connell should also assist. So this is a player worth monitoring closely as the season goes on.