Fantasy Football: Buy the Dip, Volume 1 – Irv Smith Jr

In my, ‘Buy the Dip’ series, I’ll be highlighting some of the key players to buy at their current value in fantasy football. Each article will breakdown my thoughts on each player, and how I value them in fantasy football dynasty leagues heading into the 2021 season. Let’s get into it!

Irv Smith Jr.

The dip has been real for Irv, with news coming out that his expectations for this upcoming season should be low. At only 23 years old, most of the fantasy football community seems to be out on Irv Smith.

Smith came out of college with an above average profile and good draft capital (2nd round). He posted 58 catches for 835 yards in college, while racking up 10 total TDs for the Crimson Tide in just two seasons. The profile, capital, and stats all show he has upside to produce at the big level.

Smith has sat behind Kyle Rudolph for two season to start his career, which is why we didn’t see that next level breakout from Smith. Smith has all the talent, and even showed it last year when given the chance. He posted a 8.5 YPT, and even racked in five TDs in only 30 catches. The sample size is small, but the lines all point to a potential difference maker in the TE position.

Irv Smith now has the position to himself, a position that only has Ty Conklin as the threat to a major path to success. In the last three seasons, Kyle Rudolph averaged 55 targets a year from Kirk Cousins. With Rudolph now in New York and Adam Thielen and Dalvin Cook only getting older, the playbook should open up more for the speedy TE.

Irv will need more than 55 targets to succeed in fantasy football, but with this offense being one of the top in the NFL there’s no reason he can’t demand a higher target share. Irv has the talent, has the depth chart favoring a major breakout, and the age to take a bet on an uber talented player.

The TE position is a deserted wasteland after the Top-7 in fantasy football dynasty leagues. Gambling on upside and age only favor your chances on carrying value throughout the course of the season.

Irv Smith’s upside is undeniable; and while we’ve seen his floor, it isn’t worth passing up on his potential ceiling. His floor only rises with the Rudolph departure, and his upside is truly a Top-5 TE in fantasy football as soon as this year.

Irv Smith is a massive buy in fantasy football dynasty leagues. With all signs pointing to a break out, I want all the shares I can get. I believe he has true upside in an offense that’ll produce fantasy-relevant players all over; alongside youth where he doesn’t become a dead asset in a years time.

Instead of buying guys like Tyler Higbee, Austin Hooper, Gerald Everett, Hunter Henry, or Logan Thomas; buy the TE with just as much upside, while being substantially younger. Dynasty can be real tricky sometimes, but this isn’t one of those times. Buy Irv Smith and give yourself some flexibility at a position that lacks it.

I’ll be dropping one “Buy The Dip” article a week, so stay tuned for next week’s article!