4. He has significant experience lining up in-line and out of the slot.
Smith has lined up as a traditional, in-line tight end for the majority of his career, but he also has significant experience as a receiver playing out of the slot. Last season, for example, Smith recorded 177 snaps as an in-line tight end, 91 snaps out of the slot and 57 snaps split out wide. During his top statistical season back in 2020, Smith was positioned in-line for 387 snaps and lined up out of the slot on 102 snaps.
Overall, Smith – regardless of where he was positioned – went out for a pass on 237 of his 330 offensive snaps last year, logging 87 run-blocking snaps and six pass-blocking snaps when he didn’t run a route.
It’s all to say that Smith has experience moving around, providing Head Coach Andy Reid with another versatile member of the tight end room.
5. Smith played his college ball at the University of Alabama.
Prior to joining the Vikings, Smith was a Second-Team All-SEC honoree during his junior campaign for the Crimson Tide, hauling in 44 passes for 710 yards and seven scores. He was widely considered one of the top tight end prospects available in the 2019 NFL Draft following the season, prompting Lance Zierlein from NFL.com to write the following:
“Smith is still green in terms of overall experience, which shows up in run-blocking and route-running, but he has plenty of talent and is likely to get much better in both areas. He has combination tight end talent but really flashes as a move blocker at fullback or wingback spots. His buildup speed sets him apart as a big, field-stretching option and once he gets rolling after the catch. O.J. Howard was bigger, and a better athlete, but like Howard, Smith offers Pro Bowl potential as a well-rounded tight end prospect.”
Smith’s talent was on display during his first two seasons in the NFL before his injury in 2021, and now healthy, he’ll aim to recapture that success as a…
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