Why Rookie Mycole Pruitt Could Shine as Teddy Bridgewater's Secret Weapon

There is always an urge to overreact to the mostly meaningless happenings of a first preseason game.

One player made the temptation especially difficult during Sunday night's Hall of Fame Game.

While the overall performance must be taken in its proper context, Minnesota Vikings rookie tight Mycole Pruitt used his NFL debut to provide a flash of "secret weapon" possibility within Norv Turner's tight end-happy offense.

The fifth-round pick—a big, fast athlete who was coveted by Turner during the draft process—caught four passes for 51 yards and made several key blocks during Minnesota's 14-3 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. Pruitt's 34-yard score in the second quarter—during which he snuck behind the defense and made a twisting catch before sprinting for the end zone—marked the first touchdown of the 2015 preseason.

Tom E. Puskar/Associated Press

Pruitt might not be more open again in his professional career, and scoring a touchdown in the Hall of Fame Game certainly doesn't guarantee a bust in Canton, Ohio.

But, at the very least, Pruitt's performance did provide evidence of his ability to contribute something to Minnesota's suddenly dangerous-looking offense in 2015.

The rookie made an impact right away with the first-teamers. Split wide, Pruitt's block on a screen play helped spring running back Jerick McKinnon for a first down. Later, he sealed the edge against first-round pick Bud Dupree, allowing Matt Asiata to rumble for almost 20 yards to the outside.

While Pruitt will need to continue to flash as a blocker to play meaningful snaps in the regular season, his best chance to shine will be as a "move" tight end for Turner and quarterback Teddy Bridgewater.

In addition to his 34-yard score, Pruitt also caught three other balls for 17 yards during his 27 snaps in the first half. He looked like a natural receiver.

Andy King/Associated Press

Turner, who has worked with the likes of Jay Novacek, Antonio Gates and Jordan Cameron, all but handpicked Pruitt during the 2015 draft process.

"Norv was pretty adamant throughout the draft about, this is a guy that we’re really intrigued with," head coach Mike Zimmer said back in May, via Ben Goessling of ESPN.com. "He runs 4.5, has a chance to be a good tight end, and it’s really important for the tight ends in our offense, as you know. He (Turner) had a lot of say on that one."

A star basketball player in high school, Pruitt made the switch to football and starred at Southern Illinois, where he caught 25 touchdowns.

After his 13 scores led all Division I tight ends in 2014, Pruitt heard his name called by the Vikings in the fifth round of the 2015 draft. He was the 143rd overall pick and ninth tight end selected overall.

It didn't take long for Pruitt to impress Vikings coaches.

“Mycole has done a nice job," Zimmer said in June, via Matt Vensel of the Minneapolis Star Tribune. "We’ve moved him around quite a bit. He runs very, very well. He makes some really, really good catches and he’s 255 pounds. We anticipate that he will be a pretty good blocker. He’s really catching our eye.”

He caught several more eyes on Sunday night.

Outside observers—Rotoworld's Evan Silva, Bleacher Report's Matt Miller and Southern Illinois football's official Twitter account—were understandably thrilled with the performance:

Pruitt now has a chance to become Minnesota's go-to No. 2 tight end behind Kyle Rudolph. He won't be expected to post huge numbers—not for an offense with Adrian Peterson, Mike Wallace and Rudolph in starring roles—but the rookie could still be a handful in specific roles.

At 6'2", he doesn't have the overwhelming height of some former basketball players turned tight ends. But a big, wide body (258 lbs) with movement skills can be utilized all over the field.

According to NFL.com, he ran the 40-yard dash in under 4.6 seconds while posting top positional numbers in the vertical leap (38.0"), broad jump (118.0"), 20-yard shuttle (4.37 seconds) and 60-yard shuttle (11.85) at the NFL Scouting Combine.

Pruitt could see time in the slot and as a H-back behind Bridgewater.

And don't forget: The Vikings' starter at tight end hasn't always been reliable in terms of availability.

Rudolph missed eight games in 2013 and another seven in 2014. He's dealt with injuries to his hamstring, shoulder, knee, foot and core. "Injury-prone" is a difficult label to throw around in such a violent, physical game, but the reality of the situation is that Rudolph has struggled to keep himself available.

If he has to miss any more time in 2015, Pruitt could step into an important role within the Vikings offense.

Again, we must fight the temptation to overreact to one standalone preseason performance—especially this early on. Pruitt did nothing to suggest he's going to be an instant star.

Still, rookies who step up when provided the opportunity are worth monitoring, especially when the rookie was handpicked by an offensive mind who loves to use the position.

Pruitt might be nothing more than a fifth-round pick behind an established starter, but his performance in the Hall of Fame Game did provide a flash of what he could give the Vikings in 2015.

Zach Kruse covers the NFL for Bleacher Report.

Follow @zachkruse2