2nd round pick- Vikings select Irv Smith- TE Alabama

[dead_poet]

Smith was the 3rd rated TE. Hock, Fant and Smith in that order.
Knocks...not a great blocker and he is only 6'2"

Just for comparison, Jordan Reed is 6'2. I don't think his height will keep him from being a good player. I prefer a smaller, faster guy that can separate vs. a tall guy that can't (Rudy).

[fiestavike]

Smith was the 3rd rated TE. Hock, Fant and Smith in that order.
Knocks...not a great blocker and he is only 6'2"

Just for comparison, Jordan Reed is 6'2. I don't think his height will keep him from being a good player. I prefer a smaller, faster guy that can separate vs. a tall guy that can't (Rudy).

This is why I wouldn't have drafted this guy until late. Terrible combine performance.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Hp9r9EdTb4

[halfgiz]

Unlike Bradberry, Smith is only 20 and playing a position where it's very hard to transition from college to the NFL. I don't expect Smith to do more than be a situational, package/down-specific TE this year. Don't hate the pick as it's good to find Rudolph's replacement this year (I doubt Kyle is on the roster next year).

I agree...Was surprised Smith was that young.

[dead_poet]

Daniel Jeremiah’s analysis
Here’s what NFL Network’s top draft analyst described Smith:

“Smith has an excellent blend of size, athleticism, ball skills and toughness. He lines up inline, as a wing or split out. He has a nice burst off the line and is a fluid route runner. He tracks the ball naturally and has reliable hands. He uses his speed to create after the catch. Smith is more than serviceable in the run game. He primarily seals and stalemates, but there are flashes of nasty finishes. Overall, Smith doesn't have the same upside as former Alabama TE O.J. Howard, but he should be a quality starting TE very early in his NFL career.”

[PurpleMustReign]

Just for comparison, Jordan Reed is 6'2. I don't think his height will keep him from being a good player. I prefer a smaller, faster guy that can separate vs. a tall guy that can't (Rudy).

This is why I wouldn't have drafted this guy until late. Terrible combine performance.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Hp9r9EdTb4

Idk, the combine seems overrated. It just seems like the results there don't often translate to results in the NFL.

[CharVike]

This is why I wouldn't have drafted this guy until late. Terrible combine performance.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Hp9r9EdTb4

Idk, the combine seems overrated. It just seems like the results there don't often translate to results in the NFL.

I agree the combine is a nice to have but who really cares if a guy can do some athletic skills great. IMO can you play football. Being able to do the bench press means nothing if the strength isn't utilized correctly. I was listening to Speilman and this guy is an H back / full back / slot guy. I'm not even sure if he is considered as an in line player at this point. So Rudy might be safe. Seeing his highlights he can move and run which is a good thing.

[fiestavike]

This is why I wouldn't have drafted this guy until late. Terrible combine performance.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Hp9r9EdTb4

Idk, the combine seems overrated. It just seems like the results there don't often translate to results in the NFL.

I'm not basing it on his numbers at the combine or his measurable, but on the fact that he can't stand on his feet and catch a football without any defenders around him. Watch the video.

[VikingLord]

Not a huge fan of this pick unless Spielman thought they couldn't afford to keep Rudolph.

To be fair, Smith was the 3rd-rated TE coming out this year on WalterFootball, and in watching his tape he seems to be able to make the contested catch and threaten the deep part of the field. But I didn't seem much of him as a blocker, and I wonder how often he's going to be asked to run deeper routes in the Vikings offense. Since he's not really that big, I also wonder if he's going to struggle in the contested catch department as a pro where he'll be facing bigger and more physical defenders.

Still, he's a young guy and has room to grow physically and in the game, plus he's got the NFL pedigree, so it's likely he'll turn into at least a solid pro.

[CharVike]

Not a huge fan of this pick unless Spielman thought they couldn't afford to keep Rudolph.

To be fair, Smith was the 3rd-rated TE coming out this year on WalterFootball, and in watching his tape he seems to be able to make the contested catch and threaten the deep part of the field. But I didn't seem much of him as a blocker, and I wonder how often he's going to be asked to run deeper routes in the Vikings offense. Since he's not really that big, I also wonder if he's going to struggle in the contested catch department as a pro where he'll be facing bigger and more physical defenders.

Still, he's a young guy and has room to grow physically and in the game, plus he's got the NFL pedigree, so it's likely he'll turn into at least a solid pro.

The guy has some speed and movement skills which should help me. The highlights I saw he catches the ball well also. But his lack of size right now is a bit concerning. I think they plan on using him in a non traditional way. I feel this is a good thing and will add an element that most teams don't have. Maybe we will see some new schemes.

[fiestavike]

Not a huge fan of this pick unless Spielman thought they couldn't afford to keep Rudolph.

To be fair, Smith was the 3rd-rated TE coming out this year on WalterFootball, and in watching his tape he seems to be able to make the contested catch and threaten the deep part of the field. But I didn't seem much of him as a blocker, and I wonder how often he's going to be asked to run deeper routes in the Vikings offense. Since he's not really that big, I also wonder if he's going to struggle in the contested catch department as a pro where he'll be facing bigger and more physical defenders.

Still, he's a young guy and has room to grow physically and in the game, plus he's got the NFL pedigree, so it's likely he'll turn into at least a solid pro.

The guy has some speed and movement skills which should help me. The highlights I saw he catches the ball well also. But his lack of size right now is a bit concerning. I think they plan on using him in a non traditional way. I feel this is a good thing and will add an element that most teams don't have. Maybe we will see some new schemes.

He should be very effective on crossing routes and sitting down against zones and better at running after the catch and blocking than Kyle Rudolph, so I think he'll be an upgrade overall.

[PurpleKoolaid]

The guy has some speed and movement skills which should help me. The highlights I saw he catches the ball well also. But his lack of size right now is a bit concerning. I think they plan on using him in a non traditional way. I feel this is a good thing and will add an element that most teams don't have. Maybe we will see some new schemes.

He should be very effective on crossing routes and sitting down against zones and better at running after the catch and blocking than Kyle Rudolph, so I think he'll be an upgrade overall.

He's a 2nd round pick, he better be better then Kyle. Kyle has gotten lazy the past few years. We should have went receiver here, there were so many good ones left when we got Smith, who really isnt worth a 2nd. Being the 3rd best TE isnt saying much when there aernt any real good ones left after the Iowa boys were drafted. Unless we are getting rid of Kyle this season and I dont see that happening. Kyle,Morgan,Conklin could handle whatever Kubiak has in mind.

[fiestavike]

He should be very effective on crossing routes and sitting down against zones and better at running after the catch and blocking than Kyle Rudolph, so I think he'll be an upgrade overall.

He's a 2nd round pick, he better be better then Kyle. Kyle has gotten lazy the past few years. We should have went receiver here, there were so many good ones left when we got Smith, who really isnt worth a 2nd. Being the 3rd best TE isnt saying much when there aernt any real good ones left after the Iowa boys were drafted. Unless we are getting rid of Kyle this season and I dont see that happening. Kyle,Morgan,Conklin could handle whatever Kubiak has in mind.

Conklin isn't going to make the team. Also, we are going to run 2 TE sets very often, rendering a 3rd WR less valuable. Having said all that, I don't love Irv Smith Jr. but looking at more of him, If they don't expect him to be an over the shoulder vertical threat (and they probably won't), he might be very effective.

[Pondering Her Percy]

He's a 2nd round pick, he better be better then Kyle. Kyle has gotten lazy the past few years. We should have went receiver here, there were so many good ones left when we got Smith, who really isnt worth a 2nd. Being the 3rd best TE isnt saying much when there aernt any real good ones left after the Iowa boys were drafted. Unless we are getting rid of Kyle this season and I dont see that happening. Kyle,Morgan,Conklin could handle whatever Kubiak has in mind.

Conklin isn't going to make the team. Also, we are going to run 2 TE sets very often, rendering a 3rd WR less valuable. Having said all that, I don't love Irv Smith Jr. but looking at more of him, If they don't expect him to be an over the shoulder vertical threat (and they probably won't), he might be very effective.

Oh I think that's exactly why we drafted him. As a vertical threat. He's drawn comps to Jordan Reed this whole time. The stars align with Cousins here and Kubiak involved.

As for Conklin, the good thing with him is, we could store him on the practice squad this year (hoping he doesnt get signed) and if (and probably when) Rudy is gone next year, bring him back to the roster.

As for the 3rd WR, yeah I mentioned this before as well. Guys were begging for a 3rd WR but I'm thinking this is "technically our 3rd WR", with guys like Beebe, Treadwell and so on sprinkling in.

[fiestavike]

Conklin isn't going to make the team. Also, we are going to run 2 TE sets very often, rendering a 3rd WR less valuable. Having said all that, I don't love Irv Smith Jr. but looking at more of him, If they don't expect him to be an over the shoulder vertical threat (and they probably won't), he might be very effective.

Oh I think that's exactly why we drafted him. As a vertical threat. He's drawn comps to Jordan Reed this whole time. The stars align with Cousins here and Kubiak involved.

He doesn't seem to be able to track the ball well over his shoulder, but that doesn't mean he can't hit those vertical seams.

[bsandhar]

Just for comparison, Jordan Reed is 6'2. I don't think his height will keep him from being a good player. I prefer a smaller, faster guy that can separate vs. a tall guy that can't (Rudy).

This is why I wouldn't have drafted this guy until late. Terrible combine performance.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Hp9r9EdTb4

LOL. If you're drafting players based on combine performances, then guys with good football tape (btw his combine performance wasn't bad, he showed that he runs nice routes and has solid hands, which was a supposed "knock" on him) like Irv would fall, and guys like Heyward Bey, Williamson, Metcalf (who will be a bust) should go higher. I wouldn't give a flying #### about the combine, I want to see game tape and how guys perform against great competition and Irv checks off those box so I could give a damn about him running between some cones. Love the pick! Spielman has always been good at drafting talent. I just wonder if he can finally put together a decent O-Line.