Irv Smith Jr. was a stud in college at Alabama. He looked like he could be a special offensive weapon when the Vikings drafted in the second round in 2019, but injuries prevent him from playing in 28 of 65 games in his four years with the Vikings, including missing the entire 2021 season.
Now with a fresh start in Cincinnati, Smith is already getting positive attention from the right person: Quarterback Joe Burrow.
“Irv, first of all, he’s upstairs all day every day learning the offense, watching tape with [tight ends coach] James [Casey]. So that’s exciting to hear,” Burrow said this week. “And he’s looking smooth — big, strong, athletic, smooth hands. So we’re excited to have that guy.”
Smith projects as the No. 1 tight end for the Bengals, who had Hayden Hurst in that role last season. Hurst racked up 52 catches for 414 yards and two touchdowns, so there will be plenty of targets available if Smith can stay on the field.
“I feel really good about adding Irv,” Bengals head coach Zac Taylor said in April. “He’s a good weapon for us based on what he’s done so far. We liked him coming out of the draft and the years he spent in Minnesota, I think he fits what we’re looking for.”
Smith didn’t have a big role in Minnesota after the Vikings traded for T.J. Hockenson last season, and his odds of playing meaningful role decreased further when the Vikings signed ex-Ravens blocking tight end Josh Oliver in March.
