Chiefs Add Tight End Irv Smith Jr.

An Alabama product, Smith Jr. was a second-round pick of the Minnesota Vikings in 2019. He spent four seasons in Minnesota. While with the Vikings, he tallied 91 receptions, 858 receiving yards and nine receiving touchdowns. Afterwards, Smith Jr. spent last season with the Cincinnati Bengals. He finished the 2023 campaign with 18 receptions, 115 receiving yards and one receiving touchdown.

Smith Jr. has dealt with some injuries in his career. Despite being with the Vikings for four total seasons, the tight end was on the field for parts of three years. Smith Jr. missed all of 2021 after undergoing surgery to repair a torn meniscus. And in his final season with Minnesota, the tight end also dealt with an ankle injury. To boot, Smith Jr. missed some time with a hamstring injury this past season in Cincinnati.

Traits That Smith Jr. Offers

The production and numbers of Irv Smith Jr. throughout his career will not blow anyone away. However, there are some likable traits that he can offer as a pass catcher. Smith Jr. does a good job of selling routes and adjusting his tempo between speed and finesse. While doing this, he was able to create some extra separation at the top of routes in both Minnesota and Cincinnati. Additionally, it is not impossible for him to be fluid as a route runner at his size. Smith Jr. offers no worries, in terms of drops or technique with his hands.

The thing that has helped Smith Jr. after missing time and not being a heavy producer, is his blocking skills. During his time in the NFL, and even in college, you could visibly see how much pride he took in blocking on run plays. With his mix of movement skills and strength and power developed as a blocker, Smith Jr. has found a nice role as a depth tight end piece in the league.

Chiefs Add Necessary Tight End Depth

By no means, was tight end a primary need for Kansas City this offseason. But nonetheless, finding adequate depth behind Travis Kelce was something the Chiefs were likely to accomplish in the coming weeks. Noah Gray is entering the final year of his rookie deal. He has been a solid number two tight end for KC. Though, the Chiefs have utilized more multiple tight end sets over the last couple of seasons. The use of 13 personnel (one running back, three tight ends), specifically, has been able to create success for the Kansas City offense. That is especially true in the red zone and in certain late game situations.

All told, Smith Jr. can offer more potential upside than Blake Bell, who is likely not going to return. In the passing game, it would not be surprising to see the Chiefs move Irv Smith Jr. around and attack with his size. But obviously, he can be a steady blocking presence for Isiah Pacheco.