Irv Smith Jr.

As Thielen continues to miss games, the Vikings tight end duo continues to rack up targets. Smith is actually just four targets and 24 yards behind Rudolph on the year, but the five-touchdown gap is what has made the difference in fantasy. The Chargers are allowing just 3.85 receptions per game to tight ends, which is obviously not a whole lot to go around with a timeshare. They also got Derwin James back in the lineup a few weeks back, which certainly doesn't hurt. There have been just four tight ends who hit double-digit PPR points, and each of them saw a minimum of five targets, as well as scored a touchdown. In a game we're expecting limited pass attempts, it may be hard to guarantee that for Rudolph, who was out-targeted 4-2 last week by Smith. This is not a matchup you must attack with tight ends, making Rudolph a mediocre TE2 with Smith on the low-end TE2 radar.

Irv Smith Jr. goes for 21 yards in win

Irv Smith Jr. caught three of four targets for 21 yards in the Vikings’ 20-7 win over the Lions on Sunday.

Fantasy Impact

Once again, Smith Jr. was barely involved in the passing game, amassing a modest receiving total in Sunday's win. He's been mostly a non-factor in his rookie campaign and can be ignored in most fantasy formats.