Kyle Rudolph
This is more of a question for you all than a hot take, but what are the Vikings going to do with him?
He's set to earn 7ish mil next year, or they can cut him for nothing I believe. Prime re-structure candidate methinks, as we don't have anyone else on the roster who I'd trust to step in.
This year his production has stayed about the same as last year (less TDs though), even though our passing production has gone up. Cousins used Jordan Reed a ton in Washington, and DeFilippo used Ertz a ton in Philadelphia. So why isn't Kyle getting the love? Are they asking him to stay in and block a lot more?
I understand that Thielen and Diggs are both hyper-efficient so they will get the targets but I'm still a bit surprised Rudolph hasn't been more involved.
Bottom line- What is Kyle Rudolph's outlook for the rest of this season and possibly next? Thanks!
PS No I don't have Kyle on my fantasy team haha, I'm just surprised his numbers aren't higher.
To me, and I doubt this opinion will get much agreement on the board, but he's just a guy. He's a vet and has improved his blocking, so that's something I guess.
I love what Rudy brings to the table, but IMO he isnt a 7 mill a year guy with the way they are using him, but then again... I dont think any QB is worth the money they make either so....
Rudy is fine. One of the best catching TEs in Viking history - keep him.
Check his stats. He is one of the top TEs over the last few years. I think it was TDs over the last 3 years? not sure what else, but he is putting up good numbers. That said, I agree with Jimmy, not sure he is worth 7 mil, but who is?
Yeah, seems every year people want to get rid of Rudolph because he's A, injury prone, or B, just a guy. This despite leading the NFL in consecutive games started (57), which is also a Vikings team record, and over the last 3 seasons, leads the league in TDs among TEs. In other words, more than Gronk, more than Kelce, more than Graham, Reed, etc.
I would rank him top 10 in the league for sure, possibly top 5 in terms of overall TE production, but it would be close. people get so hung up on fantasy stats for players by postion they forget (or honestly never even knew in the first place) what all goes into a positional role in a team game. Let alone the nuances in a give scheme or even the game plan on a week by week basis.
and one might wonder why TE production is down for the Vikings this year. But look at another year where Kyle didn't put up great fantasy stats and what is the common factor? O-line issues. I would bet our TEs are being asked to help in protections much more than last year when Reiff was healthy and locked down that LT spot.
Jordan and Ertz are far more athletic than Rudy and get wide spanking open against LBs and a lot of Safeties. Kyle only gets wide open on busted coverages.
He catches lots of TDs. That's invaluable and you don't cut that. And he can be a good blocker. But he doesn't do much outside of the RedZone.
Restructure his contract while also keeping an eye out for a true Move TE in the Draft or FA.
Folks, I watch the RedZone channel religously. Few teams don't have a truly athletic TE. The Vikings are one of those few. They need to get with the times at this spot just like they need an RB that can line up in WR spots and run wheel routes.
@"FSUVike" said: Jordan and Ertz are far more athletic than Rudy and get wide spanking open against LBs and a lot of Safeties. Kyle only gets wide open on busted coverages.He catches lots of TDs. That's invaluable and you don't cut that. And he can be a good blocker. But he doesn't do much outside of the RedZone.
Restructure his contract while also keeping an eye out for a true Move TE in the Draft or FA.
Folks, I watch the RedZone channel religously. Few teams don't have a truly athletic TE. The Vikings are one of those few. They need to get with the times at this spot just like they need an RB that can line up in WR spots and run wheel routes.
The Vikings seem to use Treadwell like that move TE that you want. The only think I dont see Tread getting asked to do is put his hand in the dirt, he lines up on the edge of the line at times and chips down on the DE and will set and edge blocko on a LB on runs to the outside. I know he isnt the same as a 245 pound 6-6 guys, but he is asked to do some of the same things. He just doesnt get the LB coverage that some of the others do.
For how he's being used...and as Greed stated, the O-line issues... $7 mil a year is steep.
Seems like opinions are fairly split on his value.
I just looked and his annual salary has him 10th in the league this year among TEs.
Based on his past few years of production, that is probably about right. So he might not be so quick to restructure his deal...
But I also am not sure I see us paying 7.3 mil next year for a guy who's averaging 40 yds/game. But like Jimmy said he does a lot more than just pass catch. Hmm...
OL/TE/DB in some order with our first 3 picks in the draft this year?
@"pattersaur" said:Seems like opinions are fairly split on his value. I just looked and his annual salary has him 10th in the league this year among TEs. Based on his past few years of production, that is probably about right. So he might not be so quick to restructure his deal... But I also am not sure I see us paying 7.3 mil next year for a guy who's averaging 40 yds/game. But like Jimmy said he does a lot more than just pass catch. Hmm...OL/TE/DB in some order with our first 3 picks in the draft this year?
ya better include LB in there as well.
@"JimmyinSD" said:@"pattersaur" said:Seems like opinions are fairly split on his value. I just looked and his annual salary has him 10th in the league this year among TEs. Based on his past few years of production, that is probably about right. So he might not be so quick to restructure his deal... But I also am not sure I see us paying 7.3 mil next year for a guy who's averaging 40 yds/game. But like Jimmy said he does a lot more than just pass catch. Hmm...OL/TE/DB in some order with our first 3 picks in the draft this year?
ya better include LB in there as well.
Good point, especially if Barr is gone. Hopefully they find a way to keep him though. LB is a huge need regardless.
@"FSUVike" said: Folks, I watch the RedZone channel religously. Few teams don't have a truly athletic TE. The Vikings are one of those few. They need to get with the times at this spot just like they need an RB that can line up in WR spots and run wheel routes.I'm not sure what good it will do. Those athletic tight ends quite often just aren't very good. Ricky Seals Jones, ASJ, Jared Cook, that guy from Portland State...Julius Thomas, who I think is out of the NFL right now...Bucky Hodges was the most athletic TE in the '17 draft and no one was even close. Where is he?
I just think this whole "must get an athletic TE" has completely turned a corner. 3, 4 years ago everyone started focusing on those athletic college TEs and drafted a dozen of them. So few have actually turned out.
I like our combo of David Morgan (who is one of the best blocking TEs in the NFL) and Kyle Rudolph. Rudy's no elite TE, but until we stumble upon a sleeper late in the draft (only fools draft TEs high), I'm very happy with those two and Tyler Conklin as the developmental guy.
You want them to produce more? Give the QB more protection. But even then, with the NFL's best WR duo, there's only so many balls to go around.
@"MaroonBells" said:@"FSUVike" said: Folks, I watch the RedZone channel religously. Few teams don't have a truly athletic TE. The Vikings are one of those few. They need to get with the times at this spot just like they need an RB that can line up in WR spots and run wheel routes. I'm not sure what good it will do. Those athletic tight ends quite often just aren't very good. Ricky Seals Jones, ASJ, Jared Cook, that guy from Portland State...Julius Thomas, who I think is out of the NFL right now...Bucky Hodges was the most athletic TE in the '17 draft and no one was even close. Where is he?I just think this whole "must get an athletic TE" has completely turned a corner. 3, 4 years ago everyone started focusing on those athletic college TEs and drafted a dozen of them. So few have actually turned out.
I like our combo of David Morgan (who is one of the best blocking TEs in the NFL) and Kyle Rudolph. Rudy's no elite TE, but until we stumble upon a sleeper late in the draft (only fools draft TEs high), I'm very happy with those two and Tyler Conklin as the developmental guy.
You want them to produce more? Give the QB more protection. But even then, with the NFL's best WR duo, there's only so many balls to go around.
What do you call an elite TE? Just curious what you are looking for from the position. As far as a true TE in a classical sense imo Rudy is one of the best in the game right now in terms of being an asset as both a blocker (run and pass) as well as being a good pass target. I would agree though that as a historical TE he is not really elite. I can't really think of any right now..maybe Kelce but I dont really get to watch the Chiefs enough to see his blocking .
@"Ralphie" said: For how he's being used...and as Greed stated, the O-line issues... $7 mil a year is steep.
Yep. Just a guy/
@"StickyBun" said:@"Ralphie" said: For how he's being used...and as Greed stated, the O-line issues... $7 mil a year is steep.
Yep. Just a guy/
Ah yes, the ol' snapshot in time telling the whole story. By this measure Rob Gronkowski and Jordan Reed are just guys, too. Actually, lesser guys.
@"MaroonBells" said:@"StickyBun" said:@"Ralphie" said: For how he's being used...and as Greed stated, the O-line issues... $7 mil a year is steep.
Yep. Just a guy/
Ah yes, the ol' snapshot in time telling the whole story. By this measure Rob Gronkowski and Jordan Reed are just guys, too. Actually, lesser guys.
Before this year, averaging 5 TDs a year and 539 yards a season. That's a top TE? I guess I don't see it. Seems like very average/below average production that you could get from a lot of guys and he's making decent money. I guess I'll just leave it as my opinion, lol.
@"StickyBun" said:@"MaroonBells" said:@"StickyBun" said:@"Ralphie" said: For how he's being used...and as Greed stated, the O-line issues... $7 mil a year is steep.
Yep. Just a guy/
Ah yes, the ol' snapshot in time telling the whole story. By this measure Rob Gronkowski and Jordan Reed are just guys, too. Actually, lesser guys.
Before this year, averaging 5 TDs a year and 539 yards a season. That's a top TE? I guess I don't see it. Seems like very average/below average production that you could get from a lot of guys and he's making decent money. I guess I'll just leave it as my opinion, lol.
a lot of what goes into numbers is how a guy is used. Rudy starts most plays with his hand in the dirt and has to at least chip on a DE or LB before he runs a route, (classical TE use) his numbers are going to pale in comparison to the more receiver type TEs with more established OLs that dont requite the amount of help that ours does, and work in an offense that doesnt stress getting the ball out of the QBs hand in less than 2 seconds on most pass plays like ours does. Honestly I am surprised how productive he has been able to be this year considering the help he has to give.If our OL was playing better and with Diggs and AT pulling coverages, I would expect Rudy to have a great year if he was able to release immediately into some deeper routes, but in this offense he is basically a dump off in the flat/shallow out route/ 5 yard curl type emergency target.
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