Minnesota Has a Few Options if Things Go Poorly at Tight End
K. Joudry
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The Minnesota tight end situation is somewhat precarious. If – and a lot hinges on that two-letter word – Irv Smith is fully healthy and available for 17 games, then the Vikings will likely be fine. However, the depth beyond him presents some reason for concern.
Recently, there have been some rumblings about Kyle Rudolph returning. We’ve even learned that there is mutual interest between player and team. Adding Rudolph would give Minnesota another receiving option at tight end, though there would still be a need to have a great blocker.
Ideally, a TE2 or TE3 can offer some ability as a pass catcher while being a tremendous blocker. Having someone who can function as the 6th offensive linemen – in both pass and run blocking – can be a vitally important role. Rudolph likely won’t thrive in this capacity. It’s possible that Johnny Mundt, Ben Ellefson, Zach Davidson, or Nick Muse could fulfill these responsibilities.
If, however, things end up going poorly at tight end (perhaps through underperformance, injury, suspension, and/or other circumstances), then Minnesota has a handful of options.
The first and most obvious thing the Vikings can do is emphasize their wide receivers more. Justin Jefferson, somehow, has room to keep improving. Leaning on him alongside Adam Thielen and K.J. Osborn is a recipe for success, not failure. I’m also enthusiastic about Ihmir Smith-Marsette, a young receiver who has the capacity to be a good complement to the offense.
One also thinks of the depth at running back. Dalvin Cook will handle a lot of touches, and his injury history means the team should avoid increasing his workload. Instead, it would perhaps be wise to feature Alexander Mattison, Kene Nwangwu, and Ty Chandler more. Increasing the workload for the depth RBs would be especially wise if there are some struggles at TE.
Unless there’s a signing or trade, the solution to a tight end crisis involves leaning into the skilled depth in other areas of the Minnesota roster. Both the receiver and running back rooms have an abundance of talent, giving Kevin O’Connell some options with his personnel. We’d usually think of the depth at these positions as being a solution to issues at those particular positions (if Cook gets hurt, Mattison can be elevated). That being said, we could also see the depth at those spots as part of the solution to a tight end issue, a position that (while obviously different from WR and RB) has some overlap in responsibilities.
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