Minnesota Vikings: Ihmir Smith-Marsette a steal on day three
The Minnesota Vikings had plenty of needs heading into the 2021 NFL Draft, and even without a second-round pick, they managed to find good depth and value throughout the entire class general manager Rick Spielman and his staff put together.
After making 15 selections in the 2020 NFL Draft, the Vikings had another 11 picks in the 2021 NFL Draft including five in the top 100 selections. One of their best value picks, however, came on day three.
That great value came in the fifth round when the Minnesota Vikings selected former Iowa Hawkeyes wide receiver Ihmir Smith-Marsette, one of the most versatile and dynamic receivers in the Big Ten over the past three seasons.
Once upon a time in the 2015 NFL Draft, the Minnesota Vikings selected a Big Ten wide receiver by the name of Stefon Diggs who showed out with big plays for the Maryland offense despite spotty quarterback play as well as on special teams in the return game.
Do you think Rick Spielman and his staff didn’t have Diggs in mind when they were looking at Ihmir Smith-Marsette, even just a little bit?
Not that Smith-Marsette is the exact same player, but it’s not hard to find parallels between the two players, even in terms of their size, athletic makeup, and even down to their strengths and weaknesses as prospects.
Smith-Marsette is a huge threat with his vertical speed, and defenders have to respect it, so he is able to win underneath cushion with tremendous quickness in his breaks.
He needs to improve his physical strength and that is arguably the most notable difference between he and Diggs. Diggs was 195 pounds coming into the NFL compared to Smith-Marsette checking in at 181.
Still, on Diggs’ scouting report, winning consistently against physical cornerbacks was not one of his “strengths”. That’s obviously no issue for him now.
Smith-Marsette will need to hit the jugs machine early and often in the NFL. He was credited with 17 drops while at Iowa and although he was electric with the ball in his hands, you simply cannot be known for that early on in your NFL career.
Looking over the Minnesota Vikings’ depth chart, it’s pretty obvious that this is a team with an opening for playing time as the third receiver behind Adam Thielen and star rookie Justin Jefferson. Smith-Marsette will be given opportunities and he has to do everything possible to make the most of what he gets throughout the course of the offseason.
Playing on the outside or in the slot, this is a guy who can really give Minnesota dynamic playmaking ability, especially in the open field.
Early on, Smith-Marsette should be a game-changing kickoff returner for the Vikings. If he isn’t immediately in the rotation at receiver, we will almost assuredly see him make an impact on special teams.
Offensively, he can contribute in a variety of ways, though he does have some areas of his game that need cleaning up, of course (drops being of paramount concern).
Taken 157th overall in a deep class of wide receiver prospects, Smith-Marsette is one of a number of 2021 rookies at the wide receiver position who could drastically out-play their draft status.