(Note:This is part of a series of position-by-position articles breaking down every non-specialist player on the Vikings roster as we build up to the start of training camp later this month. We’ve already covered thequarterbacks and running backs. Next up, the tight ends. Still to come: Wide receivers, offensive line, defensive line, linebackers, cornerbacks and safeties.)
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With the departure of Kyle Rudolph to the New York Giants, the Minnesota Vikings’ tight end group is in a new era. That said, it looks like we’ll still see a heavy rotation of two-tight end sets and a two-role system that sees different responsibilities for the two tight end “positions” on the offense.
The biggest spotlight will be on Irv Smith, who in theory would be set to take on a bigger role with the departure of Kyle Rudolph. While head coach Mike Zimmer said that we shouldn’t be too quick to assume that, the reality is that there are more targets to go around and not all of them will go to the other “starting” tight end, Tyler Conklin.
We didn’t see Smith’s target total increase substantially over the previous year, which is a little disappointing. But the third year is when tight ends typically break out, and the path is clear for Smith to make his mark. At the same time, Conklin’s opportunity will give us a lot of insight into his potential future.
Tight ends are not often the most important skill players on a team — and won’t be for this Minnesota squad stacked with Dalvin Cook, Adam Thielen and Justin Jefferson — but the marginal advantages a good tight end group offers could help sway the difference in a close contest.
Irv Smith
This is probably the year we’ll learn whether or not the Vikings were right to invest a second-round pick in Smith, a breakout candidate for two years who has yet to truly break out into a reliable producer. His athletic profile was lauded but is a bit unusual given that he demonstrated straight-line speed, but not agility or explosiveness, the last of which predicts tight end performance better than most athletic traits. Still, none of that matters if he can continue to develop the technical skills that make him valuable to the Vikings.
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Strengths: Remarkably fast for his position. Demonstrates that speed as a route runner up the seam and with the ball, often turning a corner and outrunning opposition; used as an end-around runner at Alabama. Speed is an asset in run-after-catch situations, where he has demonstrated good vision. Has receiver capability and can line up anywhere. Good release off the line of scrimmage. Generally, good catch technique and has been good at contested catches. As a blocker, showcases strength, leverage and good blocking technique. Hand placement has been good and punch lands inside the defender’s pads. Great leverage as a blocker and gets low. Grip strength allows him to maintain blocks for longer than a typical tight end. Athleticism and technique allow him to be an effective reach blocker, which is great for his position and scheme.
Weaknesses: Has developed as a route runner but still has more to learn in terms of route-running deception and identifying spaces in zone to sit in. Has incorporated head fakes but needs more integrated technique to win routes. Still too deliberate on cuts, reflective of agility problems. Pass blocking still a concern on the few occasions he’s been asked to protect the pocket; lets rushers get around him. Doesn’t have the size typical of a tight end, making it difficult to high-point in the red zone or overcome taller linebackers. Limited experience makes it difficult to fully evaluate. Despite good hands technique, did have a higher rate of drops than usual for a tight end.
Tyler Conklin
Set to take on a bigger role this year, Conklin has emerged as something more than a typical fifth-round tight end. While he isn’t necessarily slated to replace Rudolph, his stylistic similarity to Rudolph makes him a more viable candidate to take over Rudolph’s role than anyone else on the roster. His performance at the end of last year — 3.8 catches for 42 yards a game over the final four games — makes him an intriguing option for the Vikings.
Strengths: The biggest strength Conklin showed in college has appeared in the NFL: his catch-point ability. He hasn’t had many red zone opportunities yet as a pro but was very strong at red zone receiving in college and he’s been very good at contested catches in the NFL. Has a large catch radius and is effective at using it to pluck balls outside of his frame. Solid acceleration off the line of scrimmage and when coming out of his cuts. Aggressive and willing blocker with good grip strength.
Weaknesses: A slower tight end whose top-end speed doesn’t match his acceleration. Won’t be a deep threat or run away from opposing defenders and will largely have to be used in the intermediate range. Limited speed exaggerates mistakes, so any route-running errors take him out of the play. Hasn’t really improved as a blocker despite adding strength to his frame. Punch timing is off and he continues to lunge on blocks outside of his frame. Get-off from the line of scrimmage on running plays is slower than on passing plays. Leverage on blocks is limited and can allow defenders to get underneath him.
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Brandon Dillon
The “Marian Flash” has done quite a bit to earn the Vikings’ trust. Though only rarely on the 53-man roster, it’s unusual for an undrafted free agent from an NAIA school to make multiple practice squads — much less make the roster at times. He could really beat the odds this year and become the third tight end.
Strengths: Has demonstrated high-level receiving skills for most of his career and was a terror in camp both of his years. Excellent catch-point ability and does a good job of muscling out defenders. Has showcased red zone capability in camp and does a great job of demonstrating field awareness, whether it’s the first down marker or the sideline. Has perhaps the largest catch radius of anyone on the roster and has reeled in one-handers every year in camp. Has uncommon speed for a tight end and can use it in route, especially up the seam. Surprising agility for his size.
Weaknesses: Improved as a blocker last year in camp, but has a long way to go. His hands shoot wide of the pads too often, and he tries to wrestle more than move defenders. Doesn’t integrate his strength into his blocking, in part because of poor technique. Doesn’t pop into defenders and doesn’t sustain blocks he wins. Route running needs work, especially staying on his landmarks. Was much better on routes requiring pure athleticism like seam routes than on routes requiring multiple moves. Needs to work on route deception.
Zach Davidson
One of the most interesting players on the roster, Davidson started his college career at Central Missouri as a punter and earned all-conference recognition as a specialist. He has cross-trained at tight end and earned a huge opportunity in 2019 as a full-time starter at the position, ending up as a Division II All-American in his only year as a starter. It might be a bit before he can contribute much as a Viking — he might even be bumped to the practice squad to start out — but he was one of the best athletes in the draft class and has extraordinary upside.
Strengths: Remarkably fast and regularly outruns defenders with the ball in his hands or in routes. Gets to his top speed quickly. Has good instincts with the ball in his hands and showcased great yards-after-catch vision. Demonstrated big-play ability, averaging over 20 yards per catch and scoring 15 touchdowns in 13 games on just 40 catches. Learns quickly and has adapted to the demands of the position with surprising speed. Good hands and instinctive catch technique. Great catch radius.
Weaknesses: Described by The Athletic’s Dane Brugler as “raw as sushi.” Route running is rough; he drifts, has difficulty stringing together route-running techniques to break open and doesn’t sink his hips or burst out of his cuts. Hasn’t showcased an ability to move his landmarks in response to zones. Didn’t play with the physicality he needs to, especially as a blocker. Needs to add strength to his frame as he can get moved around by bigger defenders. His only film is against Division II defenders, and it’s difficult to fully evaluate him in that environment.
Shane Zylstra
Previously a wide receiver and the younger brother of former Vikings receiver Brandon Zylstra, Shane could become a fan favorite. He’s a long shot for a few reasons, and it’s notable that though this is his “rookie year,” he’s actually a year removed from college and couldn’t earn a tryout last year because of COVID-19 restrictions. With a limited draft pool this year, the Vikings went deep into their files and found Zylstra. He’ll be interesting to follow.
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Strengths: Early in minicamp, Zylstra showed his strength as a receiver. He has maintained his athletic ability and has a nose for the ball. Zylstra holds the top two spots in Minnesota State-Mankato’s single-season yardage record book and the top three spots for receiving touchdowns in a season (47 touchdowns over those three years). And remember, this is Adam Thielen’s alma mater. He can high-point well and boxes out defenders at the catch point.
Weaknesses: He has never played tight end before, and though he was a willing blocker in college, he didn’t do much more than receivers typically do in the run game: stalk blocks without much need for punch accuracy, timing or leverage. We don’t know how well he’ll pick up the run-blocking playbook, and tight end is one of the most difficult positions to learn in the NFL. Relied on athleticism as a receiver in college and will need more seasoning as a route runner. Shined more in the red zone than between the 20s in minicamp.
(Photo of Irv Smith: Nick Wosika / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Arif Hasan has been writing about the Vikings and the NFL for more than a decade, specializing in deep-dive analysis using both film and analytics to break down the most pressing questions surrounding the team. His work has appeared locally and nationally, featuring in publications like the Star Tribune, the LA Times, the International Business Times, Forbes, MSNBC and Bleacher Report. Prior to joining The Athletic, Arif wrote for Zone Coverage. Follow Arif on Twitter @ArifHasanNFL
