Vikings HC Kevin O'Connell announces that N'Keal Harry is swapping from wide receiver to tight end
The Minnesota Vikings offense in 2024 is filled with talent. The quarterback situation is, of course, the biggest question mark. That being said, one former first-round pick is not shying away from change. Instead, he's making a position change during an important offseason for the future of his NFL career. N'Keal Harry is now listed […]
The Minnesota Vikings offense in 2024 is filled with talent. The quarterback situation is, of course, the biggest question mark. That being said, one former first-round pick is not shying away from change.
Instead, he's making a position change during an important offseason for the future of his NFL career.
N'Keal Harry is now listed as a tight end for the Vikings
Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell discussed the position change for the former first-round pick on tuesday afternoon. It was one of the biggest takeaways from his press conference.
"Yeah, I think anytime you're looking to transition a receiver to, you know the tight end position, and N'Keal is really fired up about it. He is attacked the process long before even we ever got started in the offseason program, but you're hoping to see the receiving traits kind of lead the way early on as they you know, get a little bit more comfort in maybe having their hand down and being a part of run schemes."
— Vikings HC Kevin O'Connell on Harry's preparation for the swap
O'Connell pinpointed where the star believes Harry can help them the most going forward. That would be the redzone.
The different kinds of runs schemes that we're implementing. And N'Keal has shown that his route ability, his ability to be explosive, contested, catches, different variations where we're hoping we're really developing even at this stage in his career position change is always unique, but we're hoping we're developing a guy that can grow into a real third down weapon redzone weapon with his skill set, and then the more and more he can do from an all down standpoint will only help his value.
As you know, we continue to really put together that tight end group knowing that T.J. you know, is along that recovery process and doing a great job of it. But we're gonna have a lot of reps. We're gonna have those guys be able to battle it out for those roles, especially early in the season. — O'Connell
The Vikings now have eight tight ends on their depth chart as position battles begin to ramp up. Of course, that number includes T.J. Hockenson, who is still recovering from his injury from last season.
No matter what – O'Connell sounds confident that Harry can make a legitimate difference for the Minnesota offense at tight end in 2024.
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