Browse the rest of the Zone Coverage Draft Guide.

TOP 40 PLAYERS
MINNESOTA VIKINGS NEEDS & TARGETS
POSITIONAL TOP 5 RANKINGS & VIDEO BREAKDOWNS
MINNESOTA VIKINGS DRAFT TRENDS
INMAN: NFC NORTH WORST CASE DRAFT SCENARIOS
SENIOR BOWL CENTRAL (PODCASTS, VIDEOS, ARTICLES)
INMAN’S MOCK DRAFT COLLECTION

The son of a former first-round pick, Irv Smith Jr., 20, could also be a high draftee. An athletic tight end out of Alabama, Smith looks to become the next O.J. Howard after delivering a breakout 2018 season where he amassed 710 yards and seven touchdowns. Won second-team All-SEC honors by becoming a reliable option for Tua Tagovailoa in the passing game. His speed made him effective downfield and as a pass-catcher from the slot. Was hit or miss at the Combine but demonstrated excellent straight-line speed. At only 20 – with only one year as a starter under his belt — he is an unfinished product.

Size

6-2, 242 pounds

Combine notables

40-yard dash: 4.63 seconds (T3rd at position)
Bench: 19 reps
Vertical: 32.5 inches
Broad jump: 110 inches (T3rd shortest at position)
3-cone drill: 7.32 seconds (4^th slowest at position)

What the analysts say

“Smith is still green in terms of overall experience, which shows up in run-blocking and route-running, but he has plenty of talent and is likely to get much better in both areas. He has combination tight end talent but really flashes as a move blocker at fullback or wingback spots. His buildup speed sets him apart as a big, field-stretching option and once he gets rolling after the catch. O.J. Howard was bigger, and a better athlete, but like Howard, Smith offers Pro Bowl potential as a well-rounded tight end prospect.” – Lance Zierlein, NFL.com

“Irv Smith projects favorably as a modern day tight end. Smith has consistent flashes in the receiving game and will enter the league with blocking chops as well. There’s not a lot of cons to Smith’s profile, he’s a very well rounded player who should be able to transition quickly to the pros. Smith’s ceiling is as a Pro Bowl caliber Tight End, his well rounded skills will enable him high snap percentages and his versatility as a receiver will allow him to excel in nearly any offense.” – Kyle Crabbs, The Draft Network

What PFF says

-T1st in yards per route run
-15^th in drop rate (6.38 percent)
-5^th in slot yards
-5^th in deep pass receptions (5)

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CHECK OUT THE REST OF THE
ZONE COVERAGE DRAFT GUIDE

TOP 40 PLAYERS
MINNESOTA VIKINGS NEEDS & TARGETS
POSITIONAL TOP 5 RANKINGS & VIDEO BREAKDOWNS
MINNESOTA VIKINGS DRAFT TRENDS
INMAN: NFC NORTH WORST CASE DRAFT SCENARIOS
SENIOR BOWL CENTRAL (PODCASTS, VIDEOS, ARTICLES)
INMAN’S MOCK DRAFT COLLECTION

Sam Ekstrom

Sam Ekstrom is an executive producer and host at Locked On Sports Minnesota. He's previously covered the Vikings for 105 The Ticket, Zone Coverage, Purple Insider, and the Associated Press. He grew up in Vermillion, S.D. rooting for the USD Coyotes (not SDSU) and graduated from Dordt (not "dork") University in Sioux Center, Iowa.

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