David Morgan entered the NFL last season as UTSA’s first ever draft pick and ended the year with 12 games and 63 offensive snaps under his belt.
Along the way, he received praise from his coaching staff and media alike. So much so that the Vikings were willing to let incumbent blocking tight end Rhett Ellison move on to the New York Giants during the offseason.
DAVID MORGAN
- Team: Minnesota Vikings
- Position: Tight End
- Experience: 1 year
MINNESOTA VIKINGS TIGHT END DEPTH
- Kyle Rudolph, 6 years experience
- David Morgan, 1 year experience
- Bucky Hodges, Rookie (Drafted, Round 6)
- Kyle Carter, 1 year practice squad experience
- Nick Truesdell, Rookie (3 years in AFL)
- Josiah Price, Rookie
7th-year man Kyle Rudolph will retain his spot as the #1 tight end heading into the season, and Morgan is the obvious choice to replace Ellison as the first-choice blocking tight end, earning snaps alongside Rudolph in two-TE sets.
Ellison saw action on about 18 offensive snaps and 12 special teams snaps per game while getting targeted in the passing game a total of 14 times in 15 games. We can expect to see similar numbers from Morgan this year.
It will be interesting to see what happens with the depth chart below Rudolph and Morgan, with four guys who are all primarily pass-catching tight ends competing for one or two spots on the 53-man roster.
Odds to make 53-man roster: 100%
After kicking off their preseason with a visit to Buffalo tonight, the Vikings will head to Seattle and then return to face the 49ers in back-to-back nationally televised games before hosting the Dolphins in their preseason finale.
MINNESOTA VIKINGS PRESEASON SCHEDULE
(all times Central)
Thursday, Aug. 10
Minnesota Vikings at Buffalo Bills, 6 p.m.
– NFL Network re-air: Friday, Aug. 11, 3:00 a.m.
Friday, Aug. 18
Minnesota Vikings at Seattle Seahawks, 9 p.m. (NFL Network)
Sunday, Aug. 26
San Francisco 49ers at Minnesota Vikings, 7 p.m. (NBC)
Thursday, Aug. 31
Miami Dolphins at Minnesota Vikings, 7 p.m.
– NFL Network re-air: Friday, Sep. 1, 9:00 a.m.
