Week 2 at Washington Football Team
Kyle Rudolph had five targets last week but caught just two balls for eight yards. Even with Evan Engram out again Thursday night, the Washington Football Team ranked 13th in aFPA to opposing tight ends last year, and this offense looks rough. Leave him on waivers.
Week 1 vs. Denver Broncos
Kyle Rudolph could produce with Evan Engram unlikely to suit up, but it’s way too risky to trust anyone in this offense. The Broncos are a quality defensive opponent and Rudolph is a couple years removed from being a viable fantasy tight end. Leave him on waivers.
Week 14 at Tampa Bay
Rudolph was a non-factor last week against the Jacksonville Jaguars, as he had zero catches on two targets. Rudolph suffered a foot injury late in the game and has yet to practice this week. Early Friday reports indicate Rudolph will miss Week 14's game against the Bucs, however, nothing has been confirmed. At any rate, it is best to have a contingency if indeed Rudolph sits, and what better late-week addition than the returning Irv Smith Jr.
Week 13 vs Jacksonville
Rudolph had a solid game last week against the Carolina Panthers as he saw eight targets for seven receptions and 68 receiving yards. Rudolph was the second option for Kirk Cousins behind Justin Jefferson, as Adam Thielen was placed on the reserved/COVID-19 list. Rudolph has not seen that type of work all season and is likely not to again with Thielen set to return this week. However, without the presence of Irv Smith Jr. along with slim pickings at the position, Rudolph has the potential to return high-end TE2 value this week.
Week 11 vs Dallas
Rudolph had a solid game last week against Chicago as he caught four passes for 63 yards. With Irv Smith Jr. missing the game due to injury, Rudolph saw all the TE targets in a game where Cousins was forced to throw the ball 36 times. While Smith Jr. remains out, Rudolph is a solid TE2 option in a game against an inept Dallas Cowboy defense
Week 5 at Seattle
Rudolph caught both of his targets for 27 yards last week against the Houston Texans. Rudolph has not done much this season, and there really are not many targets to go around with the bulk of the shares staying between Adam Thielen and Justin Jefferson. Rudolph is a touchdown dependent desperate TE play for owners dealing with the first bye week of the season.
Week 17 vs. Chicago Bears
Kyle Rudolph likely won't play much this week as the Vikings have nothing to gain from risking putting their starters on the field. Rudolph hasn't even been that good that year with just 367 yards on the season (24 yards per game). We'd avoid playing him against Chicago.
Week 16 vs. Green Bay Packers
Kyle Rudolph finished 3-48 on three targets last week. He's essentially a touchdown-or-bust tight end at this point, averaging just 25.7 yards per game this season with six scores. He faces a Packers defense that's allowed six touchdowns to tight ends in 2019. Rudolph finished with nine yards when he played Green Bay earlier in the year.
Week 15 at Los Angeles Chargers
After a nice stretch of games where Kyle Rudolph caught six touchdown passes in six games, he was held to just one catch for six yards last week. He played his lowest number of snaps on the season (64%) as he deals with a groin injury (he's been a full participant in practice). Rudolph is averaging just 24 yards per game, so he should best be viewed as a touchdown-or-bust option. He faces a Chargers defense this week that's allowed five touchdowns to tight ends in 2019.
Week 14 vs. Detroit Lions
Kyle Rudolph isn't going away as he delivered another solid performance, finishing 4-50-1 last week. He's now scored in five of his last six games while averaging five targets in that span. He gets a great matchup against the Lions this week, a team he went 5-58-1 against earlier in the year. With Adam Thielen expected to be sidelined again, Rudolph should continue to get looks like he has been getting in recent weeks. He should be viewed as a viable TE1 this week.
