The Road Grader:
David Morgan
A season ago, the Vikings had a hole in this position as they lost Rhett Ellison to the New York Giants in free agency. Although blocking tight end isn’t a do or die necessity in the NFL like it once was, having an extra bulldozer is never a bad thing to have in short yardage and goal line situations.
That’s where third-year tight end David Morgan comes in for Minnesota.
Morgan’s 2017 receiving numbers of 10 catches for 95 yards and touchdown certainly won’t have fantasy football players sprinting to the waiver wire. But that’s not what he’s there for. He’s there to put guys in front of him on the ground.
Last season, Pro Football Focus graded Morgan as the third best run-blocking tight end in the league behind Jacksonville’s Mercedes Lewis and New England’s Rob Gronkowski.
The NFL's top run blocker at the tight end position in 2017. pic.twitter.com/jhHIZKNhWQ
— PFF (@PFF) July 16, 2018
Morgan’s role in the Vikings’ ground game can not be understated and his spot is secure heading into training camp.