Ihmir Smith-Marsette Stats Reveal A Surprising Trend
- 01. Ihmir Smith-Marsette Stats: Better Than You Think?
- 02. Career Receiving Statistics Breakdown
- 03. Rushing and Versatility Metrics
- 04. Kick Return Excellence in 2024
- 05. College Production at Iowa
- 06. NFL Combine and Physical Profile
- 07. Team Timeline and Contract Status
- 08. Advanced Efficiency Analysis
- 09. Final Verdict on Statistical Performance
Ihmir Smith-Marsette Stats: Better Than You Think?
Ihmir Smith-Marsette has recorded career NFL totals of 14 receptions for 182 yards and 2 receiving touchdowns, plus 9 rushing attempts for 73 yards and 1 rushing touchdown across 48 games from 2021 through 2024. His most explosve contribution came as a kick returner for the New York Giants in 2024, where he averaged 34.6 yards per return with a 100-yard touchdown. Despite limited offensive volume, his per-game efficiency metrics and special teams impact make his statistical profile more compelling than surface-level totals suggest.
Career Receiving Statistics Breakdown
Smith-Marsette's wide receiver production shows extreme volatility year-to-year, yet his efficiency remains noteworthy when touches materialize. Below is his complete regular-season receiving progression through 2024:
| Year | Team | Games | Receptions | Targets | Yards | Avg | Long | TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Minnesota Vikings | 8 | 5 | 6 | 116 | 23.2 | 44 | 2 |
| 2022 | Chicago Bears | 6 | 1 | 4 | 15 | 15.0 | 15 | 0 |
| 2022 | Kansas City Chiefs | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | - | 0 |
| 2023 | Carolina Panthers | 17 | 8 | 10 | 51 | 6.4 | 18 | 0 |
| 2024 | New York Giants | 15 | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | - | 0 |
| Career | 4 Teams | 48 | 14 | 20 | 182 | 13.0 | 44 | 2 |
His 2021 breakout with Minnesota featured a 23.2 yards-per-reception average that ranks among the highest for players with 5+ catches in franchise history. The 44-yard longest reception occurred during the Vikings' 31-17 victory over Chicago on January 9, 2022.
Rushing and Versatility Metrics
Smith-Marsette's versatile skill set extends beyond traditional receiving duties. He has logged 9 career rushing attempts for 73 yards (8.1 avg) with 1 touchdown, demonstrating unexpected efficacy as a wildcat option.
- 2022 Chicago Bears: 1 attempt, -1 yard
- 2023 Carolina Panthers: 8 attempts, 74 yards, 9.3 avg, 1 TD, longest 20 yards
The 20-yard rushing touchdown came against Green Bay on December 24, 2023, in a 33-30 Panthers loss. This rushing efficiency of 9.3 yards per carry in 2023 significantly exceeds the NFL wide receiver average of approximately 6.5 yards per attempt.
Kick Return Excellence in 2024
Smith-Marsette's most impactful statistical contribution arrived as a special teams weapon for New York in 2024. He returned 11 kickoffs for 381 yards, averaging 34.6 yards per return with a 100-yard touchdown.
- 11 kick returns, 381 yards, 34.6 avg
- 1 return touchdown (100 yards)
- 11 returns of 20+ yards (100% success rate)
- 2 returns of 40+ yards
- Zero fumbles
This 34.6-yard average ranks among the NFL leaders for the 2024 season and represents a dramatic improvement over his career kickoff return average of 22.3 yards. His 100-yard touchdown return against Philadelphia in Week 12 became the Giants' longest kickoff return since 2019.
College Production at Iowa
Before turning professional, Smith-Marsette compiled impressive college statistics at the University of Iowa over four seasons (2017-2020). His FBS totals include 44 games, 110 receptions, 1,615 yards, and 14 receiving touchdowns.
| Season | Receptions | Yards | Avg | TD | Long |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 16 | 207 | 12.9 | 2 | 36 |
| 2018 | 29 | 450 | 15.5 | 3 | 53 |
| 2019 | 32 | 553 | 17.3 | 5 | 60t |
| 2020 | 33 | 405 | 12.3 | 4 | 42 |
| Career | 110 | 1,615 | 14.7 | 14 | 60t |
His 2019 campaign featured 5 receiving touchdowns and a 60-yard touchdown reception, establishing him as Iowa's most explosive playmaker that season. He also contributed 54 rushing yards and 1 rushing touchdown while logging 176 kickoff return yards.
NFL Combine and Physical Profile
Smith-Marsette entered the NFL as a ６'１", 185-pound slot receiver with elite quickness but concerns about his thin frame. His combine measurements from Iowa's Pro Day included:
- 40-yard dash: 4.48 seconds
- Vertical jump: 38 inches
- Broad jump: 10'3"
- 3-cone drill: 6.87 seconds
- Short shuttle: 4.12 seconds
These metrics positioned him in the 85th percentile for agility among wide receivers at the 2021 draft. His 38-inch vertical demonstrates exceptional burst for contested catches despite his lightweight build.
Team Timeline and Contract Status
Smith-Marsette's NFL journey spans four teams across four seasons, reflecting his role as a developmental player and special teams contributor:
- Minnesota Vikings (2021): Signed as an undrafted free agent; appeared in 8 games with breakout efficiency
- Chicago Bears (2022): Traded in October; limited to 6 games with minimal involvement
- Kansas City Chiefs (2022): Practice squad stint; no regular-season appearances
- Carolina Panthers (2023): Full season roster member; 17 games played
- New York Giants (2024-present): Signed as free agent; primary kick returner role
As of May 2026, he remains under contract with the Arizona Cardinals after a 2025 trade, though recent reports indicate he has been activated to the active roster as a depth receiver.
Advanced Efficiency Analysis
When evaluating Smith-Marsette through advanced metrics, his profile becomes more compelling. His career yards-per-target of 9.1 exceeds the NFL wide receiver average of 7.8, indicating high efficiency when opportunities arise. His catch rate of 70% (14/20) also surpasses the league average of 64% for slot receivers.
The per-game production metric reveals stark season-to-season variance: 14.5 yards/game in 2021 versus 0.0 in 2024. However, his underlying efficiency suggests that expanded target volume could unlock significantly higher production. His special teams value, quantified at approximately 1.8 wins above replacement in 2024, compensates for limited offensive snaps.
Scouts consistently praise his route-running trickery and ability to create separation in short zones, attributes that translate to high yards-after-catch potential. While his 185-pound frame raises durability concerns, his quickness metrics and 38-inch vertical enable success in contested situations.
Final Verdict on Statistical Performance
Ihmir Smith-Marsette's raw totals appear modest at first glance, but deeper analysis reveals a specialized player whose efficiency and special teams impact exceed typical roster-filler expectations. His 34.6-yard kickoff return average in 2024 anchors his value as a game-changer on special teams, while his 23.2-yard-per-catch average in 2021 demonstrates legitimate big-play capability as a receiver.
For fantasy football managers or roster evaluators, Smith-Marsette represents a high-risk, high-reward depth option whose utility spikes when return duties are included. His path to sustained offensive relevance depends on securing a consistent slot role, yet his current special teams dominance alone justifies active roster status in the modern NFL.
Helpful tips and tricks for Ihmir Smith Marsette Stats Reveal A Surprising Trend
What are Ihmir Smith-Marsette's career receiving stats?
Ihmir Smith-Marsette's career NFL receiving stats include 14 receptions on 20 targets for 182 yards, averaging 13.0 yards per catch with 2 touchdowns and a long of 44 yards across 48 games.
Did Ihmir Smith-Marsette return a kickoff for a touchdown?
Yes, Smith-Marsette returned a kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown in 2024 while playing for the New York Giants, one of 11 kick returns that year averaging 34.6 yards.
How many games did Ihmir Smith-Marsette play in 2024?
Smith-Marsette appeared in 15 games for the New York Giants during the 2024 NFL season, primarily serving as the team's kickoff returner despite recording zero receptions.
What was Ihmir Smith-Marsette's best NFL season?
His best NFL season was 2021 with Minnesota, where he averaged 23.2 yards per reception with 2 touchdowns in just 8 games, including a 44-yard longest catch.
Is Ihmir Smith-Marsette still in the NFL in 2026?
Yes, Smith-Marsette is still active in the NFL as of 2026, currently listed as a wide receiver for the Arizona Cardinals after being traded from the Giants in 2025.