Irv Smith Jr.

My favorite sleeper TE of the 2021 season has to be Irv Smith Jr. Kyle Rudolph is gone and he takes his 3 targets per game with him, opening up an opportunity for Irv Smith, who scored the 2nd-most fantasy points per target last season, to step up and shine. We have already seen how good this can be. Over the final 4 weeks of the season, with Rudolph out, Smith averaged over 13 PPR PP/G including a massive 23.3-point performance against the Saints in championship week (16).
His big-play potential was on display during 2020, finishing 8th in both air yards and yards per target while recording the 13th most deep passes despite limited snaps.
His QB, the perenially underrated Kirk Cousins finished in the top-7 in True Throw Value for the second consecutive season. True Throw Value strips outside factors and minimizes randomness by looking at a QB's full volume and production to find their efficiency on a micro-level. In 2020, Kirk Cousins finished second overall behind only Aaron Rodgers.
With an increased role, big-play potential, and a QB that can support success, the sky is the limit for Smith.

We've been saying, "just wait until the Vikings get rid of Kyle Rudolph." That was when we were supposed to see Smith's breakout. Well, unfortunately for him, Justin Jefferson came around. Despite the Vikings inflating their pass attempts last year, the combination of Rudolph and Smith netted just 80 targets. Even if Smith received all of Rudolph's departed targets, that's no guarantee to net top-12 production. Their defense should get back on track this year, and it's not like Jefferson will become less involved. You shouldn't be paying for top-12 production, but rather hoping for it.

Rudolph is gone, so Irv has every chance to capitalize on his juicy athleticism

Irv Smith Jr. is on the verge of breaking out and this may finally be the year with Kyle Rudolph likely to be a post June 01 cut. That would create more targets for Smith Jr. in 2021.