Minnesota Vikings all-time 53-man roster: Mike Zimmer era

Tight Ends

TE1 – Kyle Rudolph

Easily the most productive Vikings tight end during the Mike Zimmer era, Kyle Rudolph’s 33 touchdown catches actually ranks second among all Minnesota players during the former head coach’s time with the team.

TE2 – Tyler Conklin

It took him until Zimmer’s final year with the Vikings to blossom, but Tyler Conklin made the most of his opportunity to be the team’s top tight end in 2021. Conklin’s 593 yards and 61 catches during the 2021 campaign both ranked as the third-highest single-season totals by a Minnesota tight end during the Zimmer era.

TE3 – Irv Smith Jr.

With the Vikings since 2019, Irv Smith Jr. was only on the field for two of his three years with Zimmer thanks to a significant knee injury before the 2021 season. Despite his absence last year, Smith’s seven touchdown catches still rank second among all Minnesota tight ends during the Zimmer era.

TE4 – Rhett Ellison

You’re probably more familiar with his dad than him, but Rhett Ellison was a productive, complementary tight end to Rudolph during Zimmer’s first few years with the Vikings. We also could not make a 53-man roster from the Zimmer era without including a blocking tight end.