5 veteran Vikings players who may not make the final roster in 2020

Tyler Conklin – TE

The Vikings are loaded with tight end talent as they head into the 2020 preseason. They have one of the all-time best to ever wear purple in Kyle Rudolph, and promising second-year player Irv Smith Jr., who is ready to explode with a huge season. Following them on the depth chart are third-year player Tyler Conklin and last year’s undrafted rookie Brandon Dillon. This is one of the deepest positions on the team, and a hard decision will need to be made when it comes to cut day.

The Vikings kept all four of these players a season ago, but they won’t do that again this year. Last August, they were devoid of talent at the wide receiver position and only kept four. While they lost Diggs, they replaced him with quantity and have more competition at the position and are sure to keep at least five receivers this year.

There’s no way the team will cut Kyle Rudolph or Irv Smith, so the decision could come down to Conklin or Dillon. Conklin is more of an H-Back type of end who can block, as well as be an asset in the passing game. Dillon is a far better receiver at this point in his career than a blocker and still needs a lot of work in that area. Money-wise, they are both similarly paid, but Conklin has a few more years on his deal.

This could truly come down to a camp battle and the player who is better in the preseason games and practices could be the one who continues his career with the Minnesota Vikings while the other is released.