Top Ten Minnesota Vikings Tight Ends
1. Steve Jordan
2. Kyle Rudolph
3. Jim Kleinsasser
4. T.J. Hockenson
5. Joe Senser
6. Visanthe Shiancoe
7. Josh Oliver
8. Jermaine Wiggins
9. Stu Voigt
10. Byron Chamberlain
The first three are easy. Steve Jordan played during an era in which tight ends were emerging as offensive weapons. He rivaled the likes of Ozzie Newsome, Todd Christensen, Keith Jackson, Mark Bavaro, and Shannon Sharpe. Jordan played 13 seasons for the Vikings. He was tapped for the Pro Bowl six of those seasons. Perhaps if the Vikings were contenders for more than a handful of those 13 seasons, Jordan would have a bust next to Newsome and Sharpe. Kyle Rudolph was a terrific tight end for all of his 10 seasons in Minnesota. Injuries forced a stuttering start to his career. When he was on the field, he was great. He made the Pro Bowl in his second season and was MVP of the game. He earned his second Pro Bowl in his seventh season. Throughout his Vikings career, it never really felt like he was as much a part of the offense as he should’ve been. During his last few seasons, he was often more blocker than receiver. Jim Kleinsasser was an awesome football player. Unfortunately, his awesomeness was as a blocker. Among fantasy football maniacs, that doesn’t get much attention. Kleinsasser, and Rudolph, should one day join Jordan in the Vikings Ring of Honor. T.J. Hockenson’s #4 ranking might be more forward-looking than it should be. He has the talent to end his, hopefully very long Vikings career at the top of this list. He’s been in Minnesota for 3 years. During that time, he’s played less than two seasons worth of games. He arrived in a midseason trade. He missed about half of his third season rehabbing a knee injury from the end of his second season. His one mostly complete season was outstanding. 960 yards in 15 games. Unfortunately, that one season was ended in the 15th game by an asshole from Detroit. Finally fully healthy, this season should be his best. One of the great “What ifs” in Vikings franchise history is Joe Senser. As a rookie in 1980, he showed a lot of promise with 42 catches, 447 yards, and 7 touchdowns. In his second season, he was brilliant. 79 catches, 1004 yards, and 8 touchdowns. It was the most productive season by a Vikings tight end. The strike-shortened 1982 season was a wash for Senser, the Vikings, and the league. A knee injury in 1983 wiped out his fourth season. Senser’s career was over after his fifth season. Joe Senser had the talent to be one of the game’s great tight ends. Visanthe Shiancoe had a solid five years with the Vikings. In particular, he really seemed to fit in well with the Brett Favre-led 2009 offense. Josh Oliver is right behind Jim Kleinsasser as a blocker. I appreciate tight ends that haven’t forgotten about the blocking responsibilities of the position. Oliver also provides a giant target in the passing game. Jermaine Wiggins provided Daunte Culpepper a reliable target when he joined the Vikings as a free agent in 2004. Wiggins had 71 and 69 catches in his first two seasons. His third, and final, season in Minnesota was less productive with Brad Johnson throwing the ball. Stu Voigt was the Vikings tight end of my youth. There’s fondness for him for that reason. I remember being very annoyed when a preseason magazine described him as a mediocre player. His receiving production was respectable for his era. His blocking was always a strength. Voigt was much better than mediocre. Byron Chamberlain rounds out the Vikings Top Ten Tight Ends. He only played two seasons in Minnesota. His first season ended with an invitation to the Pro Bowl.
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