WR, Iowa
Update: Ihmir Smith-Marsette Vikings. The Minnesota Vikings selected Ihmir Smith-Marsette in the fifth round of the 2021 NFL Draft.
Typical Iowa players are workmanlike. They fill a role as part of a unit. They aren’t flashy, and they find their niche to blend into the system. Ihmir Smith-Marsette is not your typical Iowa player. You watch Iowa film, and you immediately ask yourself, “Who is THAT guy?” Occasionally, you might even ask, “WHAT is that guy?” as it looks like he’s playing a different game. He is dynamic, explosive, and overall, just an incredible experience.
With a description like that, you might expect DeVonta Smith like numbers in college. However, this is still Iowa, so that never had a chance of happening. In fact, in ISM’s four years at Iowa, he had less receptions, yards, and touchdowns that DeVonta Smith had in 2020. Smith-Marsette is destined to be a more impactful pro than he was at the college level, and the below plays are why.
Chances at Iowa
I was watching ISM’s highlight video and getting angry. Not at him, but for him. Nearly every throw eliminated his chances of a big play after he got massive separation from the coverage. This is one of the more egregious examples. He’d cut to the inside and get a ball to his inside shoulder. He’d have separation down the sideline and the ball would force him out of bounds. Even a swing pass would be behind him. And these are the highlights which means it doesn’t include all of the deep balls so poorly thrown that he never had a chance to make a play on them. Anyway, here’s a nice catch down the field that would have been a touchdown with the slightest bit of competency on the throw.
Too often, people immediately equate speed with a lack of toughness. Although ISM is far more finesse than brute strength, he does show the ability to make tough catches.
He secures the pass and brings it down to his body as he gets blasted by the safety over the top. He might have finesse, but it does not mean he’s soft.
Here’s a good adjustment on an underthrown ball.
This is a good example of his ability to track and adjust to a ball. ISM keeps his focus as he uses the corner to slow his momentum and make the catch. It’s subtle enough that no ref without a vendetta will throw a flag. The throw works, but he has a step on his man. If the ball is out in front of him, it’s a touchdown.
With his incredible agility, Smith-Marsette is dangerous in space. Here’s an end around that shows how tough he can be to bring down.
These types of plays were so exciting because it gave ISM space which was rare during his college career. An NFL offensive coordinator will make his life a whole lot easier if he finds ways to get the ball to ISM in space. He has incredible instincts and shiftiness to give defenses fits.
Returns
Most of the issues that ISM ran into were concentration issues. His hands are plenty good as he has good technique. Though he would have some drops when he tried to turn up field before completing the catch. He would occasionally try to do too much with the ball which could get him in trouble. It could also lead to this (unfortunately, the play lasts a little too long for my gif, but the highlights of the play are all encompassed below).
ISM in space is a terrifying prospect as he turned what should have definitely been a disastrous kick return into incredible field position for his team.
Quite simply, all you need to know about this last clip is speed kills.
Dodging the tackle obviously makes this whole thing happen. Though it’s the end where the speed shows up. That little dude for USC? Well, little dudes don’t make the USC roster unless they are fast as hell. Smith-Marsette rapidly separates from him where it quickly goes from, “Does that guy have an angle” to “That guy needs an angel if he is going to come close to ISM.” It turned out he did not have an angel and Smith-Marsette cruised into the end zone.
Final Thoughts
Ihmir Smith-Marsette is an excellent example of when the numbers do lie. His stats could be generously described as pedestrian, but when you see him on the field, it’s impossible to not get excited about the potential. It seems like there is momentum behind him as we close in on draft day. He has gone from a late day three pick to somebody who could be drafted on day 2. He is a weapon at receiver and returner that just needs a little bit of polish and an opportunity. For ISM, all the tools are there.
