A Vikings Roster Logjam is Going to Lead to Tough Decisions
The Vikings’ roster has a logjam at tight end, the byproduct of decisions over the past year or two.
Nobody got added in 2026, at least not yet. Minnesota has been digging into the young options moving into the 2026 NFL Draft. And then there have been the retention moves, most notably within the decision to find a creative solution for well-paid TE1 T.J. Hockenson. At some point, some good players are going to get flexed out.
The Vikings’ Roster Logjam at Tight End
To begin, consider who is on the roster at the tight end spot:
- TE1 T.J. Hockenson
- TE2 Josh Oliver
- TE3 Ben Yurosek
- TE4 Gavin Bartholomew
- TE5 Bryson Nesbit
Left alone, the tight spot is full. At the top are a pair of well-respected veterans in Hockenson and Oliver. Both are strong at what they do. Oliver, in particular, offers much to like as a rugged blocker who doesn’t get enough credit for his athleticism. Combining Hockenson (the great athlete with sneaky blocking) with Oliver (the great blocker with sneaky athleticism) means sitting in a good spot.
The caveat is that both are making good money and are a touch older. Hockenson sits at 28 and Oliver at 29.
Next up is a crew of young fellas, all of whom are moving into their sophomore seasons.
Mr. Yurosek looks like the best bet to keep working as the TE3. The reason is simply because he had the job for most of 2025. At times, Nick Vannett got tossed into the mix as a physical veteran who got bumped up from the practice squad, but Yurosek ate the largest portion of the pie among the depth options currently within Minnesota’s roster orbit.
There’s then Bartholomew alongside Nesbit. Last year, the pair didn’t do much since Bartholomew was hurt for the entire season while Nesbit developed his game behind the scenes (read: on the practice squad).
Where things would get really fascinating is if the Vikings go bold in the draft. In theory, Minnesota could sink the No. 18 selection into Kenyon Sadiq. He looks like a fantastic player, someone who fits key Vikings draft criteria insofar as he’s a young fella who played for a major college program. The 21-year-old tight end who shined at Oregon would give Minnesota a collection of three tight ends who demand huge playing time.
Much more likely is a scenario where somebody gets added on Day 3 — Minnesota has a 5th, a 6th, and a trio of 7ths — to further enhance the competition. Furthermore, the cluster of UDFA talent is very likely to see a TE or two tossed into the mix.
What’s going to be fascinating is how the Vikings roster works with all of the talent. At most, the team is going to carve out four spots for the position. Two of those spots are already locked in by Hockenson and Oliver. The final spot or two is where things are going to get intense (assuming good health all around).
Whoever slots into the TE3 and TE4 job needs to be someone who offers versatility, compete, physicality, and hustle. Empty football words that genuinely do matter. Yurosek did quite well in this regard, but he’s not a guarantee to continue being the solution. He has an early edge but nothing in terms of an ironclad spot. Of the players on the roster, Bartholomew has commanded the largest investment from the team since he was a draft pick.
Another factor to consider is who plays quarterback. Kyler Murray has feasted with tight ends previously, such as the 2024 season when his Cardinals teammate Trey McBride went nuclear with 111 catches, 1,146 yards, and 2 touchdowns. Giving Murray the weapons whom he likes to throw to would be wise, akin to giving a chef the appropriate ingredients to cook a great meal.
Alternatively, there’s J.J. McCarthy, somebody who is legitimately in the QB competition. His precise relationship with tight ends is a touch more uncertain.
The 2026 NFL Draft takes place from April 23rd until April 25th. Look for Minnesota to bring in another option or two for tight end, a position that’s already somewhat of a logjam.
All eyes will be on the QBs, but the TEs are offering yet another intense roster battle to watch in the coming months.
Editor’s Note: Information from Pro Football Reference helped with this piece.
