Irv Smith Jr. projected as most improved player for Minnesota Vikings

Minnesota Vikings tight end Irv Smith Jr. could be in line for a breakout season according to one analyst. Cynthia Frelund, an NFL Network analytics expert, recently projected the most improved player on each team in the NFC. And based on his progress in 2020, Smith should be the Vikings’ most improved player in 2021 now that he is the top tight end in the Vikings’ offense.

Smith in line for greater role

Kyle Rudolph is no longer in Minnesota after heading to New York in the offseason. This should be encouraging for Smith’s outlook. Rudolph finished the season with 28 receptions on 37 targets with 334 yards and a touchdown. He did miss the final four games of the season, opening up more opportunities for Smith in the passing game.

In the first eight games Smith played in, the former Alabama product hauled in 15 receptions on 22 targets for 182 yards and two touchdowns. With Rudolph out for the final four weeks, Smith practically doubled his production to that point with 15 receptions on 20 targets for 183 yards and three touchdowns in his final four games.

Entering 2021, Smith is penciled in as the top option at tight end for the Vikings. Of course, he’s not alone. Tyler Conklin is the backup tight end on Minnesota’s depth chart behind smith. The Vikings also have talented running back Dalvin Cook and wide receivers Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen for quarterback Kirk Cousins to spread the ball around to as well. Nevertheless, Smith should be in line for a bigger workload. He saw 44 receptions for over 700 yards and 7 touchdowns in his final season at Alabama, so he has seen heavier usage before.

Smith’s redzone usage could improve

Frelund expects Smith to see an increase in usage inside the redzone especially.

“The story for Smith is his red-area efficiency, both on and off the ball,” Frelund wrote. “With an improved O-line, it’s very conceivable that Kirk Cousins will look to Smith even more in the red zone, which means he’s one I am already circling for fantasy purposes this season. He will very likely land among my top 10 tight ends come late August.”

Cousins is a quarterback that traditionally targets his tight ends quite often. In Washington, tight end Jordan Reed and Vernon Davis were consistently among Cousins’ top targets in their respective years together. With Smith as the only notable tight end on the Minnesota roster, he could be in line to see a breakout campaign in 2021. The Vikings are hoping that he does as they look to return to the playoffs after missing out in 2020.

Image courtesy of: Stephen Maturen via Getty Images.