5 former Vikings who could return to the team in 2019

MarQueis Gray – TE

Gray was an undrafted free-agent who was signed by the San Francisco 49ers after the 2013 Draft. He was a quarterback at Minnesota in college, but there were some questions surrounding what position he would play in the pros.

The 49ers tried Gray at running back and then tight end, but he didn’t make their final 53-man roster and he was ultimately released. He was then picked up by the Cleveland Browns and he stuck with the team for the 2013 season.

Gray appeared in 12 games for the Browns that year and caught two passes. In 2014, he was released by Cleveland prior to the start of the regular season.

Later that year, he ended up back in Minnesota. Gray didn’t do a ton in his time with the Vikings, catching just one pass for 16 yards in eight games, but being a former Golden Gopher made him a fan favorite. Minnesota waived Gray in the middle of the 2014 season to bring in running back Ben Tate, which is a move that still keeps Vikings general manager Rick Spielman up at night.

The tight end went on to spend some time with the Buffalo Bills before catching on with the Miami Dolphins in 2016.

Playing in Miami, Gray never found himself with an adequate quarterback and he was more of a special teamer that was primarily used in the offense for his blocking ability. His best season as a receiver was in 2016 when he caught 14 passes for 174 yards.

Gray suffered a torn Achilles shortly before the beginning of the 2018 season which resulted in him spending the entire year on injured reserve.

The Vikings could be in the market for a tight end this offseason with Kyle Rudolph’s future up in the air. Gray will be dirt cheap coming off his injury and his overall lack of offense during his career.

He isn’t someone who would replace Rudolph’s production, but he is a valuable blocker and he possesses the upside to surprise.