As of late, it seems the Jacksonville Jaguars have been focusing on bringing in prospects in the trenches on both the offensive and defensive line but that trend was seemingly broken this week. According to various media sources, the Jags brought in standout Alabama tight end Irv Smith Jr. for a visit Tuesday, who would fill a big need for them.
Smith is a name that may ring a bell to many as his father, Irv Smith Sr., was the No. 20 overall selection of the New Orleans Saints in 1993 out of Notre Dame. Needless to say, his good genes rubbed off on his son, who now could be taken late in the first-round, according to most draft analysts, or early in the second-round.
At 6-foot-2, 242 pounds, Smith is a fluid athlete who could flourish with a tight end specialist like John DeFilippo, who has worked with talents like Kyle Rudolph and Gary Barnidge to name a few. He’s also learned a thing or two from Philadelphia Eagles coach Doug Pederson, who has utilized the tight end position marvelously over his time with Zach Ertz.
Smith fininished 2018 with 44 catches for 710 yards (16.1 average) and seven touchdowns while helping aid the Crimson Tide to the National Championship. And although they fell short in the process with a loss to the Clemson Tigers, Smith’s overall season was an impressive one for scouts to evaluate.
