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Updated Vikings roster prediction after first preseason game

By Jake Andersen

ORCHARD PARK, NY - AUGUST 10: Sam Bradford
ORCHARD PARK, NY - AUGUST 10: Sam Bradford /
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Tight End

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - JANUARY 1: Kyle Rudolph #82 of the Minnesota Vikings celebrates with teammates after a 22 yard touchdown catch in the second quarter of the game agains the Chicago Bears on January 1, 2017 at US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – JANUARY 1: Kyle Rudolph #82 of the Minnesota Vikings celebrates with teammates after a 22 yard touchdown catch in the second quarter of the game agains the Chicago Bears on January 1, 2017 at US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images) /

TE: Kyle Rudolph, David Morgan, Bucky Hodges, Kyle Carter

Surprisingly, there’s not much to say about the tight end position after the first game. In fact, no tight end made a catch against Buffalo. Hopefully, the next couple of games bring opportunities for the tight end group to stick out.

Kyle Rudolph has hold of the top spot, while David Morgan is a good bet to make the roster behind Rudolph. I could see the Vikings only keeping three tight ends, but I think they’ll choose to keep four.

I have Bucky Hodges and Kyle Carter holding down those spots for the time being, although they still have lots to prove. Hodges looked raw in his first game, especially as a blocker, but I think he has too much potential to let go of. In college, he wasn’t asked to block often, essentially playing the role of a wide receiver, so his blocking will be a work in progress.

As for Carter, he was talked up during training camp as someone that could make the roster. He was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Vikings last season and spent time on their practice squad. He looks to have a solid all-around game as a pass catcher and blocker, giving the Vikings flexibility at the position.

Another name to keep an eye on is Nick Truesdell. At 6-foot-7, 251 pounds, he has great size for a tight end. Truesdell is awfully comparable to Hodges as they are better pass catchers than blockers. For this reason, I only see the Vikings keeping one or the other.

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