Is It Time for a Breakout Season for Vikings' Tight End Irv Smith Jr.?

Irv Smith -

Coach Kevin O’Connell is confident Smith will be 100 percent, but the team has taken the slow and steady approach with his recovery. Despite last year’s season-ending injury, sports writers and fantasy experts expect Smith to have a breakout season this year.

Our panel of Pro Football Docs advise caution in those predictions for the fourth-year tight end, given his slow nine-month recovery compared to a typical four-to-five month recovery.

There is indeed a lot of excitement surrounding the Vikings and the recently hired O’Connell, who ran the Super Bowl winning Rams’ offense last season.

Under this new offense, Smith should see plenty of pass-catching opportunities and a multitude of red zone targets playing alongside Justin Jefferson, Adam Thielen and Dalvin Cook. Yet, Smith’s longer recovery timeline signals there are still some questions surrounding Smith’s knee.

“He will be healthy, which is exciting,” said Dr. David Chao, ProFootballDoc. “We are a little guarded on him in the sense that meniscus repairs, because of the lack of blood even when done well, don’t always completely heal and have a higher chance of re-tearing.

Smith was finally a full practice participant at OTAs on June 22. O’Connell said he anticipates Smith having a great training camp.

The 23-year-old has an ADP of 125, according to Fantasy Pros, and is currently the 14th ranked tight end in standard leagues.