The NFC North loves Kirk Cousins.
After not getting any help offensively from the Washington Redskins, Kirk Cousins will have toys all over the field in his second year at quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings.
He was projected a late first to early second-round pick; however, the Vikings received a gift with former Alabama tight end Irv Smith Jr., going to them at No. 50 overall in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft.
The 6-foot-2, 242-pounder set a single-season school record for touchdown receptions by a tight end with seven last year for the Crimson Tide.
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He brought in 44 catches for 710 yards and was a matchup nightmare for defenses across the college football landscape. His route running and strong hands helped Tua Tagovailoa account for 3,966 passing yards and earning the status in being a Heisman Trophy finalist.
Smith recorded a time of 4.63 seconds in the 40-yard dash and was very smooth with catching passes in the gauntlet drill. Despite needing some work on his in-line blocking, Minnesota’s coaching staff will help him. He joins a pair of 1,000-yard weapons from 2018 in receivers Adam Thielen (1,373, nine scores) and Stefon Diggs (1,021 yards, nine touchdowns).
The Vikings also have a versatile running back in Dalvin Cook and a third game-breaking receiver in Laquon Treadwell. Kyle Rudolph is coming off his eighth season at tight end, and one in which he brought in 64 receptions – including four resulting in touchdowns.
Although he was selected in the second round of the 2011 draft, there is chatter going around concerning the possibility of Rudolph’s future in jeopardy at Minnesota.
A big decision faces the franchise, but getting Smith was still a big move.
He fits the modern-day tight end for the NFL.
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Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
