{"id":174386,"date":"2024-05-20T10:31:25","date_gmt":"2024-05-20T14:31:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/?p=174386"},"modified":"2024-05-20T10:31:25","modified_gmt":"2024-05-20T14:31:25","slug":"the-tight-ends-that-could-play-t-j-hockensons-absence","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2024\/05\/20\/the-tight-ends-that-could-play-t-j-hockensons-absence\/","title":{"rendered":"The Vikings Tight Ends That Could Play in T.J. Hockenson’s Absence"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Minnesota Vikings will go into the 2024 season without their star tight end. T.J. Hockenson tore his ACL and MCL<\/a> in Week 16, putting the start of his season in <\/span>major<\/span>\u00a0jeopardy with no\u00a0<\/span>real<\/span>\u00a0timeline for a return. The Vikings have recently signed a veteran in Robert Tonyan<\/a>, paid a solid amount of money for\u00a0<\/span>Hockenson\u2019s<\/span>\u00a0backup in Josh Oliver<\/a>, have what Kevin\u00a0<\/span>O\u2019Connell<\/span>\u00a0says is the best third-string tight end in the league in Johnny Mundt<\/a> and a young late-round draft pick from a few years ago in Nick Muse<\/a>. All of them could fill in for Hockenson at some point until his return.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Vikings led the league<\/a> in play-action attempts last year, and without Hockenson, expect that number to get even higher. While Hockenson got <\/span>a lot<\/span>\u00a0of his targets through play action, he sets himself apart from other tight ends with his ability to line up as a receiver and get open on the outside.\u00a0<\/span>The tight ends behind him on the depth chart<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>can\u2019t<\/span>\u00a0do that as well, and if they need manufactured targets lined up as a pure tight end, then play action would be the easiest to do that.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Vikings Tight Ends Who Could Step Up In Hockenson’s Absence<\/h2>\n

Johnny Mundt<\/span><\/h3>\n

Signing with Minnesota three offseasons ago from Los Angeles, <\/span>O\u2019Connell<\/span>\u00a0raves about him every chance he gets, and it makes sense\u00a0<\/span>considering<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>they\u2019ve<\/span>\u00a0been in the same organizations\u00a0<\/span>dating back to<\/span>\u00a02020. Mundt took over the\u00a0<\/span>main<\/span> receiving role at the tight end position when Hockenson got injured, with his first game as a starter being Sunday Night Football against the Packers with Jaren Hall at quarterback.<\/span><\/p>\n

If you were successful in your attempt to forget about anything that happened in that game (I\u00a0<\/span>don\u2019t<\/span> blame you!)\u00a0<\/span>Mundy<\/span> was the second-leading receiver with four catches, 39 yards, and the lone touchdown of that game. Mundt will almost certainly be one of the tight ends that gets\u00a0<\/span>major<\/span>\u00a0snaps this year<\/span>, and when<\/span>\u00a0he does,\u00a0<\/span>he\u2019ll<\/span>\u00a0be a steady and solid presence that cannot threaten the defense vertically with speed or\u00a0<\/span>burst,<\/span>\u00a0but rather a chain-moving and solid blocking, reliable starter.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Kevin O\u2019Connell just praised TE Johnny Mundt, calling him \u201cthe best 3rd TE in the NFL.\u201d <\/p>\n

Mundt and O\u2019Connell spent time together in LA before their reunion in Minnesota. <\/p>\n

Mundt seems to be a \ud83d\udd12 for the roster. pic.twitter.com\/vV2acCFnX7<\/a><\/p>\n

— VikingzFanPage (@vikingzfanpage) August 12, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n