Mike Zimmer didn't like the Vikings' depth at tight end after Irv Smith Jr.'s knee injury, and General Manager Rick Spielman didn't wait long to address it.
The Vikings traded for tight end Chris Herndon from the Jets on Tuesday afternoon, giving the offense another experienced option with Smith scheduled for knee surgery this week. Fourth-year tight end Tyler Conklin is the presumed starter, but Minnesota's offense often leans on multiple tight end formations.
Spielman sent a 2022 fourth-round pick to New York in exchange for Herndon and a 2022 sixth-round pick.
Herndon was a 2018 fourth-round pick by the Jets who had his best year, at least statistically, as a rookie. He caught 39 passes for 502 yards and four touchdowns that year. Injuries and inconsistency marred his most recent two seasons in New York.
Herndon, 25, arrives to a Vikings offense that will indefinitely be without its top tight end. Smith could miss a month or possibly the entire season. According to Zimmer, Smith's timeline to return is uncertain as he heads into knee surgery to repair a meniscus injury suffered in last week's preseason finale in Kansas City. Asked about tight end depth without Smith, Zimmer said Monday, "Well, it's not very good."
That was clear in training camp and the preseason when newcomers such as fifth-round rookie Zach Davidson and Shane Zylstra failed to stand out; both didn't play football last fall as Davidson's season was canceled and Zylstra went undrafted in 2020. The Vikings released Davidson and Zylstra on Tuesday, leaving Conklin, Herndon and Brandon Dillon as healthy options on the active roster.
Herndon has been an intriguing athlete at the position, making him a mid-round draft pick by New York despite limited production at the University of Miami. He's a big former high school receiver, listed at 6-4 and 253 pounds, who flashes a lot of potential as a downfield target and runner after the catch.
Theoretically, Herndon's arrival could allow first-year offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak to stick with the multiple tight end packages used to leverage strong fronts for running back Dalvin Cook and big gains over the top in the play-action passing game.
Conklin, drafted 50 picks after Herndon in the 2018 NFL draft, should still play a prominent role while Herndon gets up to speed.
"I got to be eased into and basically play a starting role in the last four to six games last year, and got to have a strong offseason and feel really prepared for Week 1," Conklin said Monday. "So I don't think it could have worked out any better.''
