2026 Prospects

Evaluated Through the Vikings Lens

Tight end is one of the most demanding and misunderstood positions in football. The Skol Draft Room Tight End Prospects page evaluates the position through what actually matters for the Minnesota Vikings: versatility, reliability, and role clarity.

This isn’t about chasing mismatches or highlight catches. It’s about identifying tight ends who can stay on the field, execute assignments, and elevate the offense across multiple personnel groupings.

How We Evaluate Tight Ends

Tight ends must impact the game in more than one way. Our evaluations prioritize:

• Route running and spacing awareness

• Hands and catch reliability

• Ability to separate vs. linebackers and safeties

• In-line blocking technique and leverage

• Functional strength and balance

• Football intelligence and assignment trust

Availability and dependability often matter more than raw athletic traits.

Fit Within the Vikings Offense

Minnesota’s offense relies on tight ends who can move between roles without tipping play calls. Each prospect is evaluated on their ability to:

• Align in-line, in the slot, or off the formation

• Execute timing-based routes in traffic

• Hold up in the run game and pass protection

• Complement receiver and backfield usage

A tight end who limits play-calling limits value.

Role-Based Evaluation

This page distinguishes between different tight end archetypes, including:

• In-line Y tight ends

• Move and slot tight ends

• Blocking-first specialists

• Hybrid mismatch options

Not every tight end needs to be a featured weapon — but every one must have a defined role.

Draft Value & Development

Tight ends often require patience. Rankings account for:

• Developmental timelines

• Draft capital vs. projected usage

• Traits that translate with coaching

• Long-term contribution on rookie contracts

Immediate production is a bonus, not a requirement.

Building the Position Group

Skol Draft Room evaluates tight ends as part of a complete offensive structure. Every prospect is measured by how they support spacing, efficiency, and quarterback confidence.

Because the best tight ends don’t just make plays — they make the offense work.

Tight End Prospects

Click for more positional rankings

SKOL’s 100 BIG BOARD

Quarterbacks | Running Backs | Fullbacks |Wide Receivers | Tackle | IOL

DEF Line | EDGE | Linebacker | Cornerback | Safety

Kicker | Punter

Vikings Tight End Room Evaluation

The Vikings enter the 2026 offseason with a multi-layered tight end room headlined by a proven veteran and supported by younger complementary pieces. Minnesota’s group blends a clear passing threat with role-specific blockers and developmental options, giving the offense flexibility while still leaving room for upgrades through the draft or free agency.

T.J. Hockenson — Lead Weapon

T.J. Hockenson remains the clear alpha of the position in Minnesota. A former early first-round pick with Pro Bowl credentials, Hockenson offers rare size (6’5″, 248 lbs), reliable hands, and contested-catch ability that works both over the middle and down the seam. He’s a trusted target on early downs and in critical short-to-intermediate concepts — especially valuable for sustaining drives and stabilizing rhythm offenses.

Though injuries limited him in previous seasons, when healthy he functions as both a chain-move maker and a fantasy-caliber producer, and his role should remain central to the passing game. His experience also provides a leadership anchor for the room.

Strengths: physicality at the catch point, run-after-catch ability, trusted blocker
Considerations: health and usage balance, touchdown efficiency

Josh Oliver — Reliable Complement

Josh Oliver has carved out a consistent TE2 role in Minnesota with dependable hands and zone-blocking capability. His career trajectory has shown steady growth as a secondary offensive option, and the organization’s recent multi-year extension signals trust in his contribution level.

Oliver won’t stretch the field vertically like a No. 1 tight end, but his grasp of blocking assignments and ability to make contested catches in short-to-intermediate zones makes him reliable in multi-tight personnel groupings. He’s a known quantity and a steady piece alongside Hockenson.

Strengths: blocking, situational reliability, positional versatility
Considerations: limited YAC explosiveness, role ceiling

Emerging & Depth Pieces

Behind the top two, the Vikings feature several developmental tight ends who offer upside and roster flexibility:

• Ben Yurosek – A young, athletic pass-catcher who earned a 53-man roster spot as an undrafted rookie, Yurosek brings receiving upside and competitive hands. He profiles as a rotational contributor with potential to expand into situational packages.

• Ben Sims – A waiver claim who adds depth and special teams value, Sims provides another body with NFL experience. His role is more complementary at this stage but contributes physicality and blocking willingness.

• Gavin Bartholomew – A young developmental piece with intriguing physical traits who adds depth and could carve a niche role with growth.

Room Strength: Youth and upside behind the starters
Roster Considerations: Clear separation between the top two and the rest

Group Assessment

Minnesota’s tight end group combines a top-tier lead (Hockenson) with a trusted secondary contributor (Oliver) and a handful of developmental options who can step into niche roles. The room gives the Vikings offense flexibility in two-TE sets and situational play calls, while also allowing the team to move bodies without compromising blocking or route-tree integrity.

Positional Value Notes

• The depth beyond the starters lacks high-end receiving upside, which means Minnesota will rely heavily on Hockenson in critical passing situations.

• Developmental pieces could benefit from targeted coaching and usage early in games to grow confidence and on-field chemistry.

• The Vikings may consider drafting or signing a younger, dynamic tight end if future scheme shifts demand more vertical threat or mismatch creation.