Tight end David Morgan stands out from Vikings' 2016 draft class

The members of the Vikings' 2016 draft class have progressed much slower than the 2017 class that General Manager Rick Spielman produced, but they started to show their potential this season.

First-round draft pick Laquon Treadwell grabbed only one reception last season but had 20 catches for 200 yards in 2017 and became a more integral part of the offense.

Second-round pick Mackensie Alexander had his first career interception this season and had six pass deflections to go along with 12 tackles in 14 games played.

Two later-round picks selected last year made contributions this season: linebacker and fifth-round pick Kentrell Brothers and defensive end and seventh-round selection Stephen Weatherly.

But perhaps the most versatile and important player from the 2016 class this season is tight end David Morgan, who also was Spielman's biggest surprise selection in the sixth round.

Morgan was the first NFL draft pick ever from Texas-San Antonio. This season he has played in 15 games and started six. He has been invaluable as a blocking tight end and has stepped up his receiving game in a big way, especially with Kyle Rudolph bothered by an ankle injury for the past three games.

Morgan had one reception for 4 yards in his first season with the Vikings. This year he tallied 10 receptions for 95 yards and a touchdown.

"It has been good, we have done a good job of getting a lot of different guys in there and getting involved," Morgan said. "I'm just happy to get a little more playing time this year, definitely."

When asked about his performance, Morgan said he focused on his all-around game.

"Last year I didn't get as much playing time and so a lot of things, just adjusting to a bigger role for me and a lot of different things went into my ability to increase my play," he said.

Morgan was a 6-4, 220-pound tight end coming out of Marble Falls, Texas, in 2010. He said he wasn't highly sought after as a recruit.

"I had three offers coming out of high school," he said. "UTSA, Texas State and UTEP were my only three offers."

During his senior season at UTSA, Morgan had 45 receptions for 566 yards with five scores. He was graded by many outlets as one of the best blocking tight ends in the country — a claim Spielman echoed when he selected Morgan. He also was named a second-team All-America by USA Today.

Here's what NFL.com had to say about his potential before the draft: "Lunch-pail tight end whose versatility, consistency and production landed him a second-team All-America nod. Morgan's lack of quickness will hurt his ability to get open as a receiver, but his willingness to block and potential to become a move tight end who can handle fullback responsibilities should help his cause on the third day of the draft."

Morgan described the feeling of getting the phone call that he had been selected.

"It was something really cool, it was something I was obviously looking forward to getting done," he said. "I was obviously really thankful that the Vikings gave me the opportunity."

Morgan got the game ball from coach Mike Zimmer when the Vikings defeated the Packers 16-0 in Week 16, and once again Morgan's versatility helped him stand out.

When long snapper Kevin McDermott dislocated his left shoulder late in the first half of the Packers game, Morgan stepped in — despite never having been a long snapper. Morgan snapped on three punts and two made field goals. He played on 66.2 percent of offensive plays and 34.8 of special teams plays in the game and had two receptions for 26 yards.

"Whatever I'm asked to do, I'm ready to do, whatever it is," Morgan said.

When asked who has helped him improve his game, Morgan mentioned fellow tight ends Rudolph and Blake Bell and tight ends coach Clancy Barone.

"Kyle Rudolph is the guy that has helped me a lot since I got in here," he said. "He is someone I have kind of leaned on and asked a lot of questions to. He has definitely contributed a lot to the growth of my game.

"It's awesome, that is a great room and we have a lot of good guys in there. We have a good, cohesive group. We work well together and definitely complement each other."

The cover of Baseball America this week features a cover photo and story about Royce Lewis, the Twins' No. 1 overall draft pick in 2017. It carries the headline "Royce Rolls" and says he is now the Twins' No. 1 prospect.

"Predraft concerns about Lewis' hit tool proved unwarranted," the magazine said, "and he had no problem making the necessary adjustments for a smooth transition to pro ball. … He has given the Twins no reason to doubt his ability to stay at shortstop or their decision to invest the top overall pick in his vast potential."

The rest of the top-10 Twins prospects were: shortstop Wander Javier, outfielder/first baseman Alex Kirilloff, pitcher Stephen Gonsalves, pitcher Brusdar Graterol, pitcher Fernando Romero, outfielder/first baseman Brent Rooker, shortstop/second baseman Nick Gordon, pitcher Blayne Enlow and pitcher Tyler Jay.

• Vikings head trainer Eric Sugarman and his assistants received a tremendous honor when they were awarded the Ed Block Courage Award as the NFL athletic training staff of the year. Sugarman has been tremendous for the Vikings over his 12-year career, but this was his first time winning the award. "This is a team award," Sugarman told Vikings.com. "The gratitude should go to all of my assistants, and the team physicians, whom I believe are the best in the business."

• The NFL Network has the Vikings' odds of winning the Super Bowl at 38.4 percent — the second highest of the 12 remaining teams — trailing only the Patriots at 48.6 percent.

• The Twins will be one of the first teams during spring training to appear on ESPN2, for their March 22 noon game against the Yankees.

• Matthew Hurt's dominance at Rochester John Marshall continued this week as he scored 46 points in an 82-65 victory at Owatonna, his fifth time scoring 40 points or more in nine games. The 6-9 junior forward is averaging 39.7 points, 14.1 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 2.2 steals per game.

Sid Hartman can be heard on WCCO AM-830 at 8:40 a.m. on Monday and Friday and at 9:30 a.m. on Sundays. E-mail: shartman@startribune.com