What's next at TE?

[badgervike]

www.1500espn.com/vikings-2/2017/03/losing-cook-vikings-still-seeking-another-tight-end/

[Uncle]

I think it's a position we'll address in the Draft.

Last year we went into the season w/ 4 TE's on the roster (Rudolph, Morgan, Pruitt, Ellison) and 1 on the PS (Kyle Carter). We only have 3 current TE's on the roster (Rudolph, Morgan & Carter) so we'll need at least 1 more in the draft and possibly another UFA or someone off of camp cuts.

Needless to say, it's probably a position we'll draft in the middle to late rounds and even though the Draft is thought to be somewhat deep at the TE position, it's not like we're going to be picking up someone who will make a serious impact in 2017.

Bottom line: Rudolph better not get hurt or we're pretty thin for "experience" at that position and young guys are going to have to step up.

[SmokedPears]

Isn't MoBo a TE? Or is he projected as something else?

I'm still hopeful for that long shot. Would be a great story.

[Uncle]

MoBo is a WR and probable Special Teams gunner.

I have serious doubts as to whether MoBo will ever be a viable NFL WR, as we all know it's not as much about athletic ability as it is about running routes properly and football IQ.

However, he can still possibly make an NFL roster as a prominent ST player. It is often underrated, but there is something to have a really greater "gunner" on ST that can get down there faster than anyone else and down the ball and really have an impact on field position. My mind goes back to those great Bill's teams of the 90's and they had a dedicated ST player - Steve Tasker - who really contributed quite a bit to the success of those teams.

[Jayme96]

I'm hoping for Adam Shaheen in 2 or 3. It wouldn't surprise me if he's gone before the Vikes ever get on the clock though. I think he can be a monster receiving TE.

[badgervike]

I was really hoping we got Cook who could stretch the field and create some mismatches. The other Packer, Jones, seems to be an odd signing at a position we already appeared to have some depth.

[Uncle]

Mar 20, 2017 10:04:19 GMT -6 badgervike said:

I was really hoping we got Cook who could stretch the field and create some mismatches. The other Packer, Jones, seems to be an odd signing at a position we already appeared to have some depth.

I do agree on the D Jones signing if he's used as a DE; however, I'm wondering if he'll be used more on the interior of the DL as a pass-rushing 3-technique DT - the position Floyd plays. He could be a nice hedge against Floyd sitting on the Injury Report (aka, the "Floyd Report) all of 2017 much like he did last season. 

The problem I still have w/ Jones vs. an ILB or more of a run-stuffing DL is we still have a bit of a weakness / need in run defense support. I would have thought we would have targeted more of a Gerald Hodges / Zach Brown 2-down, run-thumping LB or an interior DL like Hankins that could spell L Joseph, Tom Johnson and S Stephen on the interior rotation.

Run-defense support (either through ILB or DL) is still a need in the Draft, IMO - maybe even FA still, too. 

[VikingBob]

I am hoping for Leggett in round 4