5 most disappointing Vikings through the first quarter of the 2021 season

Chris Herndon – TE

Chris Herndon was a late addition by the Vikings as the season commenced. Irv Smith Jr. was injured in the final preseason game and lost for the season, so Minnesota general manager Rick Spielman sent a fourth-round draft pick to the New York Jets to acquire the big pass-catching target.

The trade seemed to make sense at the time. Herndon was still seen as a player who has yet to reach his full potential after having some nice seasons get cut short due to injury and suspensions. He had a breakout rookie year, but he hadn’t quite hit those numbers since. However, playing in a flaccid Jets offense was looked at as a reason for that.

The price of a fourth-round pick did seem a little steep, but the fact he is still just 25-years-old, and the potential of joining a high-powered offense appeared like a worthwhile price to pay.

Herndon has done nothing but disappoint since the season began. He was given a two-game window by this writer to acclimate to the offense, but after five games he has yet to catch a pass.

What he has done, is give his team some costly penalties, whether it be holding calls or crackback blocks that have stalled drives. He rarely gets a target and he has averaged just 10 snaps a game.

It is truly head-scratching why Minnesota gave up a fourth-round pick for this guy, and at this point, it is concrete evidence of another Spielman desperation move.