The Viking Age
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Minnesota Vikings 53 man roster projection: Preseason edition

By Adam Carlson

(Photo by Stephen Lew/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) Brett Jones
(Photo by Stephen Lew/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) Brett Jones /
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NEW ORLEANS, LA - AUGUST 09: Minnesota Vikings tight end Tyler Conklin (83) is tacked by New Orleans Saints defensive end Trey Hendrickson (91) during the first half of an NFL preseason game between the New Orleans Saints and the Minnesota Vikings on August 9, 2019 at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, LA. (Photo by Stephen Lew/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA – AUGUST 09: Minnesota Vikings tight end Tyler Conklin (83)  (Photo by Stephen Lew/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Tight ends (3)

The Minnesota Vikings invested heavily in their tight ends this offseason, paying quite a bit of money to extend the contract of a veteran and using a second-round draft pick on a rookie to keep the position full of talent.

Here are the tight ends projected to be on the team’s 53-man roster:

  1. Kyle Rudolph
  2. Irv Smith Jr.
  3. Tyler Conklin

PUP – Exempt

Rudolph has been with the Vikings since he was a second-round draft pick in 2011 and that shouldn’t change this year, especially with him signing a rich four-year extension to keep him with the team through the 2023 season. He will be the primary pass-catching option.

Youth is on the side of Smith, who can ease his way into the Vikings offense thanks to having Rudolph to mentor him and others to pitch in during situational instances where specific abilities are needed.

Conklin wasn’t much of a factor in 2018, but a strong camp and effort in Week 1 of the preseason put him on track to be the team’s number three tight end…especially since there are some questions post him on the depth chart.

I love David Morgan. He’s a solid blocker with sneaky good hands. But his knee doesn’t seem like it will be ready to go for the regular season and he could find himself on the Physically Unable to Perform list for the opening of the season. Since he becomes a free agent after this year, Minnesota could even decide to part ways with him if they are happy with the three players they have.

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