The One Vikings Roster Clue You Can’t Ignore
The Minnesota Vikings’ depth chart is in fantastic shape with the NFL draft about two weeks away, at least per the opinion of most fans.
The One Vikings Roster Clue You Can’t Ignore
The team reconstructed its offensive and defensive trenches in free agency, a request from folks thrown in the front office’s direction for years.
And as most notable holes have been filled, some onlookers have wondered an elementary question — Why are there only two tight ends?
Where … Are the Tight Ends?
You read that right.
The Vikings have two tight ends under contract: T.J. Hockenson and Josh Oliver. Johnny Mundt followed backup quarterback Nick Mullens to the Jacksonville Jaguars in free agency, and the Philadelphia Eagles stole Nick Muse from Minnesota’s practice squad late last season.
And then the Vikings just didn’t replace either man — not through four weeks of free agency. It’s worth noting that a depth tight end could be signed for cheap at any time, increasing the mystery.
Usually Four Tight Ends on Roster in Early April
On April 1st, 2024, Minnesota had these tight ends on the roster:
- T.J. Hockenson
- Josh Oliver
- Johnny Mundt
- Nick Muse
On April 1st, 2023, these tight ends were Vikings:
- T.J. Hockenson
- Josh Oliver
- Johnny Mundt
- Ben Ellefson
- Nick Muse
On April 1st, 2022, it was this bunch:
- Irv Smith Jr.
- Johnny Mundt
- Ben Ellefson
- Zach Davidson
You get it. This is abnormal. There should be at least four TEs. There are two.
Waiting for the Draft?
To start the week, NFL Network‘s Tom Pelissero tweeted, “Former Georgia and Stanford TE Ben Yurosek is on a ’30’ visit to the Vikings today. He ran a 4.64 40 at UGA’s pro day and finished his collegiate career with 123 catches for 1,527 yards.”
Yurosek is projected to be drafted in Round 7. Other tight ends in that range include Moliki Matavao (UCLA), Thomas Fidone II (Nebraska), and Luke Lachey (Iowa).
Minnesota could also wait until after the draft and onboard a couple of undrafted free-agent tight ends, which might actually be the plan all along.
What about Free Agency?
Janik Eckardt of PurplePTSD, a sister site to VikingsTerritory, opined this week about tight end options: “How to Fix It: The Vikings should sign a veteran free agent who can give them some reliable depth. A year ago, Robert Tonyan was hired to be a depth guy and compete for snaps. He appeared in five games but didn’t catch a pass. C.J. Uzomah and Jordan Akins are two names to watch. Gerald Everett and Mo Alie-Cox have come with more oomph.”
“In addition to that, using one of the four draft choices for a tight end makes sense to bring youth to the position room. Oliver is in the final year of his contract, and Hockenson will turn 28 in the summer.”
It’s not like there’s a TE shortage.
The Almighty Swerve?
One more theory persists — a sexy one — about the TE spot. What if general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah pulls off the unthinkable, drafting Michigan’s Colston Loveland at the No. 24 spot, who just so happened to be a teammate of J.J. McCarthy at Michigan?
Loveland may or may not be available at No. 24, but if he were, would Adofo-Mensah take the plunge with the Michigan playmaker?
The guaranteed money on Hockenson’s contract runs out after the 2025 season. Loveland would represent the future at TE, and Minnesota could even keep Hockenson on the depth chart indefinitely.
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