4 things to expect from the Vikings tight ends in 2020
By Dustin Baker
1. New Offensive Coordinator Gary Kubiak heavily relies on his tight ends
Last season, Minnesota wielded its tight-end weapons about 23 percent of the time with the team’s aerial attack. Of this near-quarter of all targets, Kyle Rudolph and Irv Smith Jr. were effectively tied for attention; Rudolph was targeted 48 times, Smith Jr. 47 times.
As a whole, the Vikings receiving corps will assuredly look and feel different compared to last season as Stefon Diggs is no longer with the team. The loss of his productivity and aura will fundamentally alter the spirit of the passing game. The good news is–that does not have to be at the detriment of the enterprise. The Vikings countered the Diggs exodus with rookie Justin Jefferson’s entrance. Although Jefferson will probably need time to make a Diggsian impact, he’s allegedly ready to make a statement on day one.
Regardless if Jefferson does or doesn’t, Gary Kubiak has Rudolph and Smith Jr. to serve as a safety net. Kubiak has a documented history of implementing tight ends into his offense to the utmost. That history is detailed here.