MyCole Pruitt could be secret weapon for Vikings

Could second-year tight end MyCole Pruitt take a jump forward and emerge as a key contributor for the Vikings this year?

If the Vikings offense is to take the step forward that many expect, it will be crucial for reliable weapons to emerge in the passing game.

While Stefon Diggs, Laquon Treadwell, and Kyle Rudolph are all expected to play key roles, MyCole Pruitt is one name who is often overlooked.

The fact that Pruitt isn’t talked about is hardly a surprise. After all, he only had 10 receptions for 89 yards in his rookie season. Beyond the statistics, however, there are many reasons to be excited about the sophomore tight end.

First of all, there figure to be many opportunities for Pruitt to get involved in his second season. With Rhett Ellison’s torn patellar tendon likely to keep him sidelined for at least the beginning of training camp, Pruitt will start camp as the second tight end on the depth chart.

Given offensive coordinator Norv Turner’s affinity for two-tight end sets, “second” does not translate to “backup” in this case. With the Vikings playing two or more tight ends on around 38.3% of plays in 2015, Pruitt will be on the field early and often as the team eases Ellison back into action.

Once he’s given the chance to play, Pruitt’s dynamic ability will make it very difficult for the coaches to take him off the field.

Pruitt’s unique and explosive skill set became very evident during the draft process, and he has only continued to improve since then.

After leading Division I tight ends in all major receiving categories with 81 catches, 861 yards, and 13 touchdowns in his senior season, Pruitt posted phenomenal athletic measurables at the combine.

Placing first among all tight ends with a 4.58 second 40 yard dash and a 38 inch vertical, Pruitt also posted top-five marks in the short shuttle, broad jump, and long shuttle.

With productive game tape and exceptional athleticism for the position, it’s no surprise at all that Norv Turner practically banged the table for Pruitt. Numerous reports circulated after the draft that Turner practically demanded that the team draft Pruitt.

Just how highly did he value Pruitt? The Vikings actually selected Pruitt three spots ahead of Stefon Diggs, who has already emerged as the team’s number one receiver.

After one season, it’s clear that Turner’s confidence in Pruitt was not misplaced. Although he hasn’t been given an abundance of opportunities, he has made the most of them with his unique combination of speed, strength, and savvy.

With athleticism and polished route-running, Pruitt has already proven adept at getting open and making plays as a receiver.

Pruitt excels at settling in between zones to pick up chunks of yards. Using his speed, Pruitt is able to quickly eat up the cushion between him and the linebacker before making his breaks, allowing him to cut into the open space behind the backer and make the catch before the safety can break on the pass.

This play against the Cardinals is a perfect example, as Pruitt lines up on the left side of the line and runs a corner route perfectly in between zones for a large gain.

Moving forward, plays like this will be the centerpiece of Pruitt’s game. It will be critical to capitalize on Pruitt’s quickness by getting him the ball in space, so routes that allow him to read coverages and finesse his way between zones will be perfect.

A variety of deep routes such as corners, posts, and seams will be ideal, as they will allow Pruitt to get behind the defense with sheer athleticism or settle into open spaces to make the catch.

However, while Pruitt’s game is largely predicated on speed and technique, he is also more than capable of making tough, physical plays on shorter routes and contested catches.

This play against the Lions serves epitomizes Pruitt’s hard-nosed mentality, as he avoids being jammed, fights to break free against the linebacker, catches the ball with the defender draped all over him, and proceeds to break several tackles.

While he is best suited as a downfield receiving threat, Pruitt runs a full arsenal of routes and is not afraid of playing through contact. Whether it was making tough catches over the middle, fighting for extra yardage, or making key blocks, Pruitt’s toughness consistently impressed in his rookie season.

Pruitt’s ability to fight off defenders at the line and get open on short routes is the perfect complement to his deep arsenal, as it gives him numerous ways to get open and forces defenders to play him honestly. Pruitt can line up just about anywhere on the field and run any type of route, making him an incredibly versatile and dangerous weapon.

That versatility is key, as defenders never quite know what to expect from Pruitt. Teddy Bridgewater perfectly conveyed Pruitt’s multifaceted skill set (via Minneapolis Star-Tribune):

"“He brings something different to the table. He can catch passes out of the backfield, catch passes from the tight end position, he can block in the run game, he can line up at wide receiver, probably can return punts and kicks, also. He’s an exciting player to have and he’s just looking forward to his opportunity.”"

While the part about Pruitt returning punts might be a bit of a stretch, the point still stands. Pruitt is capable of impacting the game in many different ways from many different positions. As Turner and company incorporate him into the offense, they will be able to get very creative.

Overall, MyCole Pruitt has the skills to capitalize on his opportunities and emerge as an explosive and versatile weapon for the offense. With a year of experience under his belt and more playing time, 30 catches for 400 yards and 4 touchdowns is definitely a reasonable expectation for Pruitt.

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He still has plenty of room to improve, especially in becoming a more consistent blocker, but the tools for success are all there. As Pruitt seizes an expanded role in his second season, expect him to shine.