5 wide receivers the Vikings should target in the 2023 NFL Draft
By Luke Parrish
Ainias Smith (Texas A&M)
Texas A&M has been a bit of a letdown, but their offense features a ton of talent that will contribute in the NFL soon. Wide receiver Ainias Smith, a smaller target with speed, is not a constant threat in the offense, but he should be.
His first two seasons were split as a runner and receiver with no real sense of position. All he did, regardless of where he lined up, was make plays. In 2020, Smith caught 43 passes for 564 yards and six touchdowns and added another 49 carries for 293 yards and four touchdowns.
Smith became a full-time receiver in 2021, and his touches dropped significantly, which has been the case once again this season. He makes plays when he gets involved in the offense, but the volume just has not been there since converting to wide receiver.
After playing four games for the Aggies in 2022, an injury has shut him down for the remainder of the year. In those four games, Smith caught 15 balls but averaged 19.4 yards per reception with two touchdowns to his credit.
With limited production and an injury on his record, Smith is going to be an affordable draft pick that probably won’t have as high of expectations.