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After making a trade up in the fifth round, the Minnesota Vikings have made a selection to address their tight end position.
Tyler Conklin
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Date of Birth:
College: University of Central Michigan
Drafted: Fifth round, #157 overall
Height: 6’3”
Weight: 254 pounds
Career accomplishments: Third-team All-MAC (2017)
Twitter handle: @T_Conk1
With the 157th pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, the Minnesota Vikings have selected Tyler Conklin, a tight end from the University of Central Michigan.
Conklin was a third-team All-MAC selection this past season, and the Vikings clearly feel he has the ability to come in and compete for a spot as the team’s second tight end opposite of Kyle Rudolph. He’s a former basketball player that shifted over to football, and has shown to be a pretty solid athlete.
Lance Zierlein of NFL.com had a fifth-round grade on Conklin.
Conklin requires tape study from both 2016 and 2017 as his preseason foot injury appeared to create some limitations for him athletically. He’s a capable receiver, but he isn’t going to make a living as a pass-catching tight end. Conklin shows the aptitude and attitude to handle blocking duties inline or as a move tight end, but his draft stock could depend on his medicals and how he tests at the Combine.
It’s good that he has the ability to block as well as catch passes. With the evolution of the college game, well-rounded tight ends are rare, but there’s obviously a place for them in the Vikings’ offense.
Welcome to Minnesota, Tyler Conklin!
Poll
Grade the Minnesota Vikings’ selection of Tyler Conklin at #157 overall in the 2018 NFL Draft
This poll is closed
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7%
A
(86 votes) -
4%
A-
(49 votes) -
14%
B+
(164 votes) -
22%
B
(245 votes) -
8%
B-
(95 votes) -
9%
C+
(108 votes) -
13%
C
(151 votes) -
6%
C-
(70 votes) -
4%
D+
(44 votes) -
3%
D
(40 votes) -
3%
D-
(43 votes)