4 underrated Vikings to watch during training camp

(Photo by Nick Wosika/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) Mike Boone
(Photo by Nick Wosika/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) Mike Boone /
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(Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) Tyler Conklin
(Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) Tyler Conklin /

Tyler Conklin – TE

Kyle Rudolph and Irv Smith Jr. have been the two most talked about Vikings tight ends this offseason, but someone else could emerge at the position in 2019. That guy could possibly be second-year tight end Tyler Conklin.

Conklin played sparingly last season. But he was a fifth-round rookie, so his expectations for 2018 weren’t that high to begin with.

This year, he gets to play in a Minnesota offense that is expected to include more formations with two tight ends. That means more opportunities for guys like Conklin to make plays.

With Smith being a rookie, there’s a chance that it could take him a little while to adjust to the speed of the game at the NFL level. If this happens, then Conklin could emerge as the Vikings’ second-best receiving option at tight end.

And no, David Morgan has not been forgotten in this position group. Morgan is just more of a blocking tight end, so his role in the offense is always going to be much different than Conklin’s or Smith’s.