Exposing Myself On My Biggest NFL Draft Whiffs: Irv Smith Jr.

Exposing Myself On My Biggest NFL Draft Whiffs: Irv Smith Jr.

The breakout season never came. It died on a whimper without any value in sight. Even as a castoff with the Bengals, I still held hope. Now it’s time to be accountable for it all. Irv Smith Jr. failed, and it’s one of my worst calls since doing draft content.

I thought the former Alabama product was going to be the best tight end in the 2019 NFL Draft. That, obviously, didn’t happen. However, I’d argue my approach would have been less wrong than everyone else.

Let’s be real. The Lions didn’t get their money’s worth on TJ Hockenson and traded him for a fraction of the original draft price. The Broncos got even less of a return on Noah Fant. When you factor all of that in, taking Smith in the second round was probably still the way to go. If we’re being honest about how that draft went, Buffalo taking Dawson Knox in the third round was the best bang for your buck, and even that one isn’t moving the needle.

It’s very possible Smith would have paned out, but knee injury stuff really derailed him. It felt like watching Robert Williams all over again. As soon as Smith tore his meniscus, it never felt like he was the same. Again, I have no problem taking the L on this one, but it’s also very possible that health may have steered this one in another direction.

Prior to that knee injury, he posted 30 receptions for 365 yards and five scores in a reserve role behind Kyle Rudolph. It felt like he was on the verge of really busting out. Then it just never happened. Smith never topped 200 yards in a season again and is probably on his way out of the league.

It’s Time To Buy Fantasy Stock In Irv Smith

I’m not sure there is really a lesson to be learned here. On paper, this one should have hit. Alabama talent with NFL bloodlines. I guess at the end of the day, it’s just incredibly difficult to find a stud tight end, and even a guy like OJ Howard flamed out, who may have been an even higher Bama-type guy.

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