The Vikings went into the 2021 NFL draft with an obvious need at wide receiver. At the time, the team had Adam Thielen, Justin Jefferson, then a pretty significant drop off on the wide receiver depth chart.
Despite that, Minnesota didn’t draft a wideout until the fifth round when it nabbed Iowa product Ihmir Smith-Marsette. Though he had some question marks in regards to his potential NFL success, Smith-Marsette possessed good tools, which left Vikings fans wondering whether he could be the team’s wide receiver.
Well, Mike Zimmer had a quote that suggested Smith-Marsette has a chance of missing the roster. Zimmer said Smith-Marsette has to improve on special teams.
“If he wants to make the team, that’s part of his job description,” Zimmer told Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press.
There are a lot of different things people can glean from this quote. Is Zimmer just trying to light a fire under Smith-Marsette or is the rookie actually in danger of not making the team?
Right now, it’s hard to say. But with the addition of Dede Westbrook, Smith-Marsette’s success isn’t as dire for the team. It would still help the Vikings if Smith-Marsette did enough to make the team — on special teams and offense.
