Minnesota Vikings can reclaim throne of having NFLs best third tight end by signing released college teammate of T.J. Hockenson

Vikings should look to sign TE Noah Fant

Without Mundt, the Vikings are set to go into the season likely with one of three rookies, including two undrafted free agents to be their third tight end. That might not be best strategy for them with how O'Connell's used his tight end room.

However, a player just entered the market that could be an interesting add for the Vikings. On Sunday afternoon, the Seattle Seahawks chose to release Noah Fant, which will save them around $9 million in salary cap space this season.

Fant was a first-round pick of the Denver Broncos in the 2019 NFL Draft, and was a key piece of the Russell Wilson trade. Tight ends are usually a position that takes a little while to develop in the NFL due to the responsibilities they are asked to do. Being both a wide receiver and an offensive tackle is a very tough responsibility.

Fant looked to be evolving into a really good tight end at the NFL level after three seasons with the Broncos were over 560 yards. In his three years with the Seahawks, Fant failed to match that level of production.

Adding Fant would be a really interesting one for the Vikings, especially considering his history with T.J. Hockenson. The two were teammates at Iowa, and there was a major discussion about who was the better tight end prospect, with Hockenson being a well rounded player and Fant being the better vertical option.

Now, the Vikings could add Fant to be a vertical option in this offense in a minimal role, likely expanded from what Johnny Mundt was for the Vikings. This would level up the Vikings' 12 personnel packages from a receiving standpoint. 

The catch here would be whether or not the Vikings could give him what he would be asking for from both a playing time and financial standpoint. He's 100% worth kicking the tires on, because there would be a package that could maximize his ability and help out Hockenson as well. Tight end screens would be objectively more explosive.

If Fant is willing to take a little less to come to the Vikings, it could elevate the offense and give it a spark they didn't have before.