5 offensive sleepers the Vikings should target in 2021 free agency
By Dean Jones
Tyler Kroft – TE
2020 Team: Buffalo Bills
It will be strange seeing the Vikings take the field without Kyle Rudolph next season. The tight end might have seen his influence diminish over the last two years, but he emerged as part of the fabric within the franchise, and he’ll go down as one of the organization’s best-ever players at his position.
The keys to the kingdom will now be given to Irv Smith Jr. ahead of a hugely important third season for the former Alabama star. He has all the skills needed to fill the No. 1 role with minimal fuss, providing he starts putting it all together on the field more consistently.
However, it might be worth Minnesota bringing in a dependable catching option if things don’t pan out as expected where Smith is concerned. Failing to have a contingency plan will do more harm than good. So acquiring somebody with the capabilities of Tyler Kroft needs to be discussed.
Kroft was a model of consistency during his time with the Buffalo Bills, albeit in a rotational role considering the wealth of other options in the passing game. He would be walking into a similar situation in Minnesota, especially if another productive wide receiver is secured. So whether he’ll want to sign with a team that has a lesser chance of competing for a Super Bowl with the same involvement remains to be seen.