Worm Guts wrote:I don’t know, you’ve obviously put more thought into this than I have, but when Smith was at Alabama I thought he looked fast and athletic for a Tight End. And for whatever it’s worth, he was pretty close to the top of Kiper’s best available when we took him.
Ok fast and athletic. Is that all that is needed to spell out starting TE in the NFL these days? I don't think we are talking apples to apples here when people suggest it's a fine pick leading to letting Rudolph walk after this season.
Rob Gronkowski 6'6 268 retired
Travis Kelce 6'5 260
George Kittle 6'4 250
Zach Ertz 6'5 250
O.J. Howard 6'6 251
Hunter Henry 6'5 250
Evan Engram 6'3 240
Eric Ebron 6'4 253
Jared Cook 6'5 254
David Njoku 6'4 246
...
Jimmy Graham 6'7 265
Greg Olsen 6'5 255
Kyle Rudolph 6'6 265
Then we have this Irv Smith Jr. at 6'2 242. 4.63 speed
His measureables are what they are and it's why Rick described him as "H-back/tight end/fullback" and a few others on draft day considered him more a WR. (A slow 6-2 WR - sounds like a heavy Treadwell)
2nd round pick on a tweaner. Granted he could be used all over the place. Could end up nothing but a 6'2 receiver here. Could be nothing but a lead blocker no one ever hears about. Could get some runs out of the backfield. Could end up useful in all kinds of situations. But are you going to call him your starting TE when you let Rudolph walk? No. Your second round pick? Kipers best? Come on. They will end up drafting yet another TE next season for that role.
TE of his stature in the NFL today:
Stephen Anderson, Patriots undrafted 2016(Houston) 6-2 230 "TE"
nfl.com comparison: Get this....they say BEN WATSON (6-4 251 first round draft pick)
Maybe that was the one line someone sold Rick with!
This is what happens with Tweaners. Nobody knows what they are going to be good for.
He might be a good overall football player. Is he worthy of the Vikings 2nd round pick? What a weak draft to have a tweaner like this in the top 50.