Some fans would say outside linebacker; others would shout backup guard. But NFL.com came along last week, claiming the Minnesota Vikings’ main roster need heading into 2026 is at tight end.
And that’s despite employing T.J. Hockenson and Josh Oliver at TE1 and TE2, respectively. Matt Okada just doesn’t think that’s enough firepower.
Hockenson’s Role Makes the Depth Question Easy to Miss
NFL.com: Vikings Need TE Help
Okada combed through the NFL, identifying one roster need per team, landing on tight end for the purple team.
He explained, “Once upon a time (three years ago), T.J. Hockenson was a strong starting tight end. In two seasons since, he has totaled just 893 yards and three touchdowns. Vikings TEs accumulated the fourth-fewest receiving yards in the league in 2025.”
“And they did nothing to improve the position this offseason. While Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison and Jauan Jennings are a strong wide receiver trio, a lack of production at tight end lowers the ceiling for the Vikings and their yet-to-be-named starting quarterback.”
Generally speaking, it’s unlikely that Minnesota would invest heavily in a tight end trade or signing this summer, aside from perhaps something minimal, like Darren Waller in free agency.
The Group Doesn’t Lack Options
Here’s the Vikings’ TE depth chart ahead of training camp:
TE1: T.J. Hockenson
TE2: Josh Oliver
TE3: Ben Yurosek
TE4: Gavin Bartholomew
TE5: Bryson Nesbit
TE6: Marshall Lang
Hockenson, barring injury, is guaranteed to get the lion’s share of passing game targets from Kyler Murray or J.J. McCarthy. Oliver is Minnesota’s blocking-TE asset. And Yurosek and Bartholomew will do battle at training camp for the TE3 job.
Okada thinks the group is underwhelming or mid.
A Rebound Season for Hockenson?
Hockenson tore his ACL late in the 2023 season, and based on his production, he hasn’t quite been the same since. He totaled 960 receiving yards in 15 games that year, but in 2024 and 2025, he’s accrued 893 yards combined. Hockenson averaged about 35 receiving yards per game in those two seasons.
While his numbers from 2024 and 2025 are not bad, he’s paid among the richest tight ends in the NFL, and if a team spends top dollar on a TE1, that guy should get close to 1,000 yards per season or exceed it.
Instead, Hockenson’s role has changed, while his paycheck did not in 2024 and 2025, deployed more as a blocking tight end when offensive line injuries have arisen. Minnesota is due for a season with relatively sturdy OL health, so the working theory suggests that Hockenson can get back on track as a pass-catcher.
And if his quarterback is Murray, well, Murray has a history of feeding tight ends, namely Trey McBride in Arizona. It would not be strange at all for Hockenson to deliver a bounce-back season with Murray under center.
Hockenson also took a pay cut this offseason.
2027 Best Time to Evaluate TE Need
If Okada has it right, and the Vikings end up needing a new tight end in 2027, the free-agent options are grim. Names like this are on tap for the open market:
- Evan Engram
- Hunter Henry
- David Njoku
The 2027 NFL Draft is a bit more promising, with these players tentatively expected to be taken before the end of Round 3:
- Trey’Dez Green (LSU)
- Jamari Johnson (Oregon)
- Peter Clarke (Temple)
- Terrance Carter Jr. (Texas Tech)
Many expected the Vikings to entertain the idea of drafting Oregon’s Kenyon Sadiq in April — which would go hand in hand with Okada’s theory — but the New York Jets beat the Vikings to it, and Minnesota selected defensive tackle Caleb Banks from Florida.
Hockenson turned 29 a couple of weeks ago.
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