The Minnesota Vikings could be looking to bolster their tight end position at a more economical price. Minnesota have had T.J. Hockenson over the last couple of seasons, but at his current figure, the veteran pass-catcher could become a cap casualty.
If Minnesota does decide to part ways with Hockenson, it’ll need to find a replacement. As a result, the Vikings could do that via the NFL Draft, and The Athletic’s Dane Brugler is predicting that general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah will be selecting the top tight end in this year’s class, Oregon Ducks‘ Kenyon Sadiq.
“If T.J. Hockenson is a cap casualty this offseason, tight end would move up the Vikings’ needs list,” Brugler wrote in his mock draft that was published on Jan. 15. “Sadiq is a big, freaky athlete with the adjustment skills to make difficult catches look routine and the mentality to be an asset as a blocker. NFL teams believe he has the talent to be a top-10 pick.”
Sadiq spent three seasons at Oregon, during which he recorded 80 catches for 892 yards and 11 touchdowns in 42 games, per StatMuse.
Vikings Predicted to Bolster RB Position in Free Agency
Improving the Vikings’ offense for J.J. McCarthy or another QB the front office decides to bring in appears to be the main objective for many experts predicting what Minnesota could be doing this offseason.
Another aspect of the Vikings’ offense that needs improvement is the running game. The Vikings ranked in the bottom 10 in team rushing yards with 1,841, per ESPN. As a result, CBS Sports’ JP Acosta predicts that Minnesota will pursue Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III.
“The Vikings need some more juice and some tackle-breaking ability in that backfield; they’re 27th in broken tackle and missed tackle rate among all their running backs,” Acosta said during a Jan. 14 appearance on CBS Sports HQ. “Kenneth Walker finished fourth in that metric, showing an ability to create explosive plays on the ground and as a receiver.
“I think it’ll fit really well with what Minnesota wants to do. While sometimes no Kenneth Walker run is ever really a normal run, I think his ability to generate explosives is going to be super cool in Kevin O’Connell’s offense.”
Walker had 221 carries for 1,027 yards and scored five touchdowns in 17 games this season for the Seattle Seahawks, per StatMuse. Moreover, he has split time with Zach Charbonnet at the running back position.
Much like Hockenson, Aaron Jones Sr. could be a cap casualty for the team this offseason. Because of this potential decision, improving the ground game will be at the top of the Vikings’ to-do list, whether in free agency or the draft.
2026 Could Be Make or Break for Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy
Heading into Season 2 as the starting QB, McCarthy will need to prove that he’s the Vikings’ face of the franchise. As a result, a running back like Walker would be ideal for him. Nonetheless, former NFL wide receiver Chad Johnson believes that McCarthy will have just next season to prove he’s the No. 1 guy for Minnesota.
“[McCarthy] got one more year under his belt to prove himself,” Johnson said on the Jan. 9 edition of “Night Cap.” “Are you the future? If not, you know the NFL, not for long, especially at the quarterback position, because every team understands that unless it has one, it has no chance.”
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