Vikings predraft roster analysis, Day 4: Tight ends
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DAY 4
Tight ends.
ON THE ROSTER
Jim Kleinsasser, Garrett Mills, Visanthe Shiancoe.
BREAKDOWN
It took Shiancoe awhile to get on the same page with QB Brett Favre, but he ended up posting career highs in receptions (56) and touchdowns (11). Shiancoe also has been extremely durable, playing in every game for seven straight seasons. Kleinsasser hasn't been a receiving threat since a knee injury ended his 2004 season -- he had 46 catches in 2003 and more than 10 only once since -- but he also hasn't missed another game. He's a sound blocker even if he might be overpaid ($2.5 million this season). Mills was a big-time receiving tight end at Tulsa but hasn't earned many opportunities in the NFL, catching seven passes in nine games over four seasons. He last saw action in November 2008.
ONE SCOUT'S TAKE
"Nothing that really scares you at that position. Shiancoe's a decent guy, pretty dependable. (Kleinsasser)'s a blue-collar, hard-working, grunt-work kind of guy. That would be him in a nutshell. Really, that's the only two they have. They had a couple guys mixed in there, kind of pass-receiving type guys that they've tried to mix through, but it's probably an area they address here coming up in the offseason."
-- NFC pro scout
DRAFT OUTLOOK
Kleinsasser is 33, Shiancoe turns 30 in June and both are signed through 2011. It's not a pressing need, but it wouldn't be a surprise to see the Vikings snare a tight end in the mid to late rounds.
MEL KIPER'S TOP FIVE
Jermaine Gresham, Oklahoma (6-6, 258)
Ed Dickson, Oregon (6-5, 243)
Aaron Hernandez, Florida (6-2, 250)
Dennis Pitta, BYU (6-5, 248)
Rob Gronkowski, Arizona (6-6, 265)
UP NEXT
Wide receivers.
